Non-selective cation channel in neural cells and methods for treating brain swelling

ABSTRACT

A composition comprising a novel Ca 2+ -activated, [ATP] i -sensitive nonspecific cation (NC Ca-ATP ) channel is described. The channel is found in mammalian neural cells and exhibits a different sensitivity to block by various adenine nucleotides, and is activated by submicromolar [Ca] i . The NC Ca-ATP  channel is activated under conditions of ATP depletion, which causes severe cell depolarization, followed by cell swelling. The NC Ca-ATP  channel is regulated by a sulfonylurea receptor and is inhibited by sulfonylurea compounds glibenclamide and tolbutamide. Methods employing compositions comprising the NC Ca-ATP  channel to screen for compounds that block the channel and the use of such antagonists as therapeutics in preventing brain swelling and damage are described. In addition, methods employing compositions comprising the Kir2.3 channel to screen for compounds that open the channel and the use of such antagonists as therapeutics in preventing brain swelling and damage are described.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/365,933 filed Mar. 20, 2002, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to a novel ion channel found in neural cells which participates in the cation flux involved in cell swelling. The invention also provides a method of screening for compounds that inhibit the activity of the ion channel. Methods to screen for and identify antagonists of the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel are provided. The invention further provides therapeutic methods for using compounds and compositions that inhibit the ion channel activity to inhibit or prevent the swelling of neural cells in brain. It has been discovered that neural cell swelling is mediated by the opening of a novel non-selective monovalent cationic ATP sensitive channel (the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel) and that this channel is coupled to sulfonylurea receptor type 1. Moreover, it has been found that neural cell swelling and cell death, particularly astrocyte swelling, can be inhibited by blocking the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel of the present invention, particularly by antagonizing receptors coupled to this channel, such as antagonizing the SUR1. The invention also encompasses the use of such compounds and compositions, that modulate NC_(Ca-ATP) channel activity to treat brain swelling. The present invention relates to methods for the treatment of brain swelling that results from brain trauma or cerebral ischemia, due to neural cell swelling and cell death.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Following traumatic brain injury and stroke, the normal response of the surrounding brain is to mount a cellular response that includes formation of reactive astrocytes that are believed to be important to “contain” and “clean-up” the injury site. Swelling of neural cells is part of the cytotoxic or cell swelling response that characterizes brain damage in cerebral ischemia and traumatic brain injury, and is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. See, Staub et al., 1993; Kimelberg et al., 1995. A number of mediators have been identified that initiate swelling of neural cells, including elevation of extracellular K⁺, acidosis, release of neurotransmitters and free fatty acids. See, Kempski et al., 1991; Rutledge and Kimelberg, 1996; Mongin et al., 1999. Cytotoxic edema is a well-recognized phenomenon clinically that causes brain swelling, which worsens outcome and increases morbidity and mortality in brain injury and stroke.

[0004] Mechanisms underlying apoptotic death of reactive astrocytes have been studied. See, Tanaka et al., 2000; Yu et al., 2001. The mechanisms responsible for necrotic cell death have not been characterized. Apoptotic cell death is preceded by cell shrinkage and net loss of K⁺. See, Yu et al., 1997; Yu et al., 1999. By contrast, in necrotic cell death, the plasma membrane is ruptured, causing cytosolic contents to be released and thereby triggering tissue inflammation. See, Leist and Nicotera, 1997. Necrotic cell death may be more deleterious to nearby viable tissues, given the secondary inflammatory damage that is initiated.

[0005] Necrotic cell death is initiated by osmotic swelling following influx of Na⁺, the major extracellular osmolyte. In most cell types, accumulation of Na⁺ intracellularly is regarded as a passive process that does not require activation of specific effectors but that is due instead to defective outward Na⁺ pumping under conditions of low [ATP]_(i). See, Leist and Nicotera, 1997; Trump et al., 1997. Cell blebbing or swelling, an indication of intracellular Na⁺ overload, is generally regarded as an early sign of necrotic cell death. See, Leist and Nicotera, 1997; Majno and Joris, 1995.

[0006] Inhibition of ATP synthesis or ATP depletion also causes neural cell swelling, blebbing and, if sufficiently severe, plasma membrane disruption and cell death. See, Jurkowitz-Alexander et al., 1993. The mechanisms of neural cell swelling associated with ATP-depletion remained incompletely characterized. See, Lomneth and Gruenstein, 1989; Juurlink et al., 1992; Rose et al., 1998.

[0007] One potential mechanism would be changes in Na⁺ and K⁺ concentration due to inhibition of the Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase pump. However, an equivalent degree of osmotic swelling induced by ouabain-mediated inhibition of the Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase pump in neural cells does not produce large depolarization, blebbing or cell death. See, Jurkowitz-Alexander et al., 1992; Brismar and Collins, 1993. Failure of the Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase pump, therefore, is not the mechanism critical to swelling of neural cells. None of these studies have identified the cellular mechanism instrumental in the cell swelling that is associated with brain damage in cerebral ischemia and traumatic brain injury.

[0008] One subtype of ATP sensitive cation channel is the non-selective cation channel, which are channels that are sensitive to Ca²⁺ and ATP. More specifically, non-selective cation channels are activated by intracellular Ca²⁺ ([Ca²⁺]_(i)) and inhibited by intracellular ATP ([ATP]_(i)). Although Ca²⁺ and ATP sensitive cation channels had been identified in a number of non-neural cell types, they have not been identified in astrocytes or any other neural cells. See, Sturgess et al., 1987; Gray and Argent, 1990; Rae et al., 1990; Champigny et al., 1991; Popp and Gogelein, 1992; Ono et al., 1994, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. These non-astrocyte channels comprise a heterogeneous group with incompletely defined characteristics. They exhibit single-channel conductances in the range of 25-35 pS, discriminate poorly between Na⁺ and K⁺, are impermeable to anions, for the most part impermeable divalent cations, and they are blocked by similar concentrations of the adenine nucleotides ATP, ADP and AMP on the cytoplasmic side. The function of these non-selective ATP sensitive cation channels in these non-neural cell types remains enigmatic, in part because unphysiological concentrations of Ca²⁺ are generally required for channel activation.

[0009] Another subtype of ATP sensitive cation channel is the ATP-sensitive potassium channel (K_(ATP) channels) in pancreatic β cells. One class of insulin secretagogues, the antidiabetic sulfonylureas, are used to inhibit these K_(ATP) channels and stimulate insulin release in diabetes mellitus. See, Lebovitz, 1985. Antidiabetic sulfonylureas mediate their effect on K_(ATP) channels via a high affinity sulfonylurea receptor (SUR). See, Panten et. al., 1989; Aguilar-Bryan et. al., 1995. Several isoforms of the SUR, termed SUR1, SUR2A, SUR2B, and SUR2C, have been identified and cloned. See, Aguilar-Bryan et. al., 1995; Inagaki et. al., 1996; Isomoto et. al., 1996; Lawson, 2000. These receptors belong to the ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter family, of which the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR), another ion channel modulator, is also a member. See, Higgins, 1992; Aguilar-Bryan et. al., 1995. Notably, the CFTR has major therapeutic importance, since its genetic absence causes cystic fibrosis, a fatal disease.

[0010] The sulfonylurea receptor imparts sensitivity to antidiabetic sulfonylureas such as glibenclamide and tolbutamide. Also, SUR is responsible for activation of the potassium channel by a chemically diverse group of agents termed K+ channel openers (SUR-activators), such as diazoxide, pinacidil, and cromakalin. See, Aguilar-Bryan et. al., 1995; Inagaki et. al., 1996; Isomoto et. al., 1996; Nichols et. al., 1996; Shyng et. al., 1997b. In various tissues, molecularly distinct SURs are coupled to distinct channel moieties to form different K_(ATP) channels with distinguishable physiological and pharmacological characteristics. The K_(ATP) channel in pancreatic β cells is formed from SUR1 linked with a K+ channel, whereas the cardiac and smooth muscle K_(ATP) channels are formed from SUR2A and SUR2B, respectively, linked to K+ channels. See, Fujita ad Kurachi, 2000.

[0011] Thus, a need exists for a physiological target instrumental in the cell swelling that is associated with brain damage in cerebral ischemia and traumatic brain injury and in the consequent morbidity and mortality. There is also a need for specific treatments for the cytotoxic edema that causes brain swelling, which worsens outcome and increases morbidity and mortality in brain injury and stroke. Also there exists a need for therapeutic compounds capable of modulating the activity of this target in order to prevent brain damage. The present invention is directed to a newly characterized non-selective calcium and ATP sensitive monovalent cation channel, termed the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel, which is present in neural cells and linked to an SUR The present invention further provides a method to screen for or identify antagonists to NC_(Ca-ATP) channel activity. Further, the present invention provides a method for the therapeutic use of antagonists, such as sulfonylureas and other SUR1 blockers, to inhibit this channel's activity and thereby prevent neural cell swelling and cell death and the concomitant nervous system damage that includes brain swelling and brain damage.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0012] The invention is based, in part, on the discovery of a specific channel, the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel, which is expressed in reactive neural cells after brain trauma. The present invention is directed to purified compositions containing a novel Ca²⁺-activated, [ATP]_(i)-sensitive nonspecific cation channel, hereinafter the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the compositions comprise mammalian neural cells or membrane preparations expressing the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel, most preferably the mammalian neural cells are freshly isolated reactive astrocytes. A preferred example of such a purified composition containing the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel is a membrane preparation derived from native reactive astrocytes. As demonstrated herein, when neural cells expressing the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel are depleted of intracellular ATP, the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel opens and the cells swell and die. However, if the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel is blocked on such cells, the cells do not swell and die. The invention is also based, in part, on the discovery that the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel is regulated by a type 1 sulfonylurea receptor, and that antagonists of this receptor are capable of blocking the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel and inhibit neural cell swelling.

[0013] The NC_(Ca-ATP) channel of the present invention is distinguished by certain functional characteristics, the combination of which distinguishes it from known ion channels. The characteristics that distinguish the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel of the present invention include, but are not necessarily limited to, the following: 1) it is a non-selective cation channels that readily allows passage of Na, K and other monovalent cations; 2) it is activated by an increase in intracellular calcium, and/or by a decrease in intracellular ATP; 3) it is regulated by sulfanylurea receptor type 1 (SUR1), which heretofore had been considered to be associated exclusively with K_(ATP) channels such as those found in pancreatic β cells.

[0014] More specifically, the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel of the present invention has a single-channel conductance to potassium ion (K+) between 20 and 50 pS. The NC_(Ca-ATP) channel is also stimulated by Ca²⁺ on the cytoplasmic side of the cell membrane in a physiological concentration range, where said concentration range is from 10⁻⁸ to 10⁻⁵ M. The NC_(Ca-ATP) channel is also inhibited by cytoplasmic ATP in a non-physiological concentration range, where said concentration range is from 10⁻¹ to 10 M. The NC_(Ca-ATP) channel is also permeable to the following cations; K⁺, Cs⁺, Li⁺, Na⁺; to the extent that the permeability ratio between any two of said cations is greater than 0.5 and less than 2.

[0015] The invention relates to assays designed to screen for compounds or compositions that modulate the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel, particularly compounds or compositions that act as antagonists of the channel, and thereby modulate neural cell swelling and the concomitant brain swelling. To this end, cell-based assays or non-cell based assays can be used to detect compounds that interact with, e.g., bind to, the outside (i.e., extracellular domain) of the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel and/or its associated SUR1. The cell-based assays have the advantage in that they can be used to identify compounds that affect NC_(Ca-ATP) channel biological activity (i.e., depolarization). The invention also provides a method of screening for and identifying antagonists of the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel, by contacting neural cells with a test compound and determining whether the test compound inhibits the activity of the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel. In one embodiment, methods for identifying compounds that are antagonists of the NC_(Ca-ATP) are provided. In one embodiment, therapeutic compounds of the present invention, including NC_(Ca-ATP) antagonists, are identified by the compound's ability to block the open channel or to prevent channel opening, by quantifying channel function using electrophysiological techniques to measure membrane current through the channel. NC_(Ca-ATP) antagonists include compounds that are NC_(Ca-ATP) channel inhibitors, NC_(Ca-ATP) channel blockers, SUR1 antagonists, SUR1 inhibitors, and/or a compounds that reduce the magnitude of membrane current through the channel. In this embodiment, channel function can be measured in a preparation of neural cells from a human or animal, and the test compound can be brought into contact with the cell preparation by washing it over the cell preparation in solution. The invention further provides a method of screening for sulfonylurea compounds that may act as antagonists of the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel.

[0016] The present invention relates to drug screening assays to identify compounds for the treatment of brain swelling, such as the swelling that occurs after brain injury or cerebral ischemia by using the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel as a target. The invention also relates to compounds that modulate neural cell swelling via the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel. The present invention also relates to the treatment of brain swelling by targeting the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel.

[0017] The invention also encompasses agonists and antagonists of the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel, including small molecules, large molecules, and antibodies, as well as nucleotide sequences that can be used to inhibit NC_(Ca-ATP) channel gene expression (e.g., antisense and ribozyme molecules). An antagonists of the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel includes compounds capable of (1) blocking the channel, (2) preventing channel opening, and/or (3) reducing the magnitude of membrane current through the channel.

[0018] The invention also encompasses the use of such compounds and compositions, that modulate NC_(Ca-ATP) channel activity to treat brain swelling. Further provided is a method of preventing brain swelling and the resulting brain damage through the therapeutic use of antagonists to the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel. In one embodiment, the therapeutic antagonist can be administered to or into the brain. Such administration to the brain includes injection directly into the brain, particularly in the case where the brain has been rendered accessible to injection due to trauma to the skull. The invention further provides the therapeutic use of sulfonylurea compounds as antagonists to the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel to prevent cell swelling in brain. In one embodiment the sulfonylurea compound is glibenclamide. In another embodiment, the sulfonylurea compound is tolbutamide.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGS.

[0019]FIG. 1 (comprised of FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E and 1F); FIG. 1A shows whole cell current clamp recording before and after exposure to ouabain and before and after exposure to NaN₃. FIG. 1B shows whole cell voltage-clamp recordings during ramp pulses (a) before and (b) after exposure to NaN₃; (c) is the difference current. FIG. 1C shows whole cell voltage-clamp recordings during step pulses (a) before and (b) after exposure to NaN₃; (c) is the difference current. FIG. 1D shows cell-attached patch recording of single ion channel openings induced by NaN₃ at membrane potentials of (3) −80 mV and (4) 80 mV, compared to control patches at membrane potentials of (1) 80 mV and (2) −80 mV. FIG. 1E shows the cell-attached patch currents of FIG. 1D, shown at higher time resolution. FIG. 1F shows the cell-attached patch single-channel current-voltage relationship.

[0020]FIG. 2 (comprised of FIGS. 2A and 2B): FIG. 2A shows single channel currents recorded in an inside-out patch at different membrane potentials; dotted line indicates channel closing. FIG. 2B is a plot of inside-out patch single channel amplitude vs. membrane potentials.

[0021]FIG. 3 (comprised of FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C and 3D); FIG. 3A shows single channel currents recorded in an inside-out patch with various alkaline ions substituting for K⁺ in the pipette; dotted line indicates channel closing. FIG. 3B is a plot of channel amplitude vs. membrane potential with various alkaline ions substituting for K⁺ in the pipette. FIG. 3C is a plot of channel amplitude measured in inside-out patches vs. voltage with Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ substituting for K⁺ in the pipette. To estimate channel pore size, FIG. 3D is a plot illustrating the relationship between the permeability (relative to Cs⁺) and the molecular radius of a series of monovalent organic cations, which included: (a) methanolamine, (b) guanidium, (c) ethanolamine, (d) diethylamine, (e) piperazine, (f) Tris, and (g) N-methylglucamine, data indicating an equivalent pore size of 0.67 nm.

[0022]FIG. 4 (comprised of FIGS. 4A and 4B); FIG. 4A shows single channel recordings in an inside-out patch in the absence and presence of cytoplasmic ATP. FIG. 4B is a plot of normalized open channel probability (n·Po) vs. concentration of cytoplasmic ATP.

[0023]FIG. 5 (comprised of FIGS. 5A and 5B); FIG. 5A shows current records from an inside-out patch exposed to different concentrations of [Ca²⁺]_(i). FIG. 5B the values of n·Po measured at the membrane potentials and [Ca²⁺]_(i) indicated.

[0024]FIG. 6 is a plot of mean single channel amplitudes obtained in an inside-out patch configuration at different potentials studied and with different [Mg²⁺]_(i); the dotted line indicates 35 pS conductance.

[0025]FIG. 7 (comprised of FIGS. 7A and 7B) shows that presence of SUR1 mRNA and absences of Kir6.1 and Kir 6.2 in reactive astrocytes. Lanes 3 and 5 in FIG. 7A show the presence of SUR1 in insulinoma RIN-m5f cells and NRAs, respectively. Lanes 4 and 6 in FIG. 7A show that SUR2 is absent in both cell types. Lanes 3 and 4 in FIG. 7B show that Kir6.1 is present in insulinoma RIN-m5f cells and Kir6.2 is absent from the insulinoma cells, respectively. Lanes 5 and 6 in FIG. 7B show that neither Kir6.1 nor Kir6.2 is present in NRAs, respectively.

[0026]FIG. 8 shows current recordings in an inside-out patch to illustrate the effects of tryptic digestion on channel sensitivity to glibenclamide and ATP.

[0027]FIG. 9 (comprised of FIGS. 9A and 9B) shows that the channel activator diazoxide can elicit channel activities under outside-out patch recording configuration. FIG. 9A shows the outside-out patch recordings with Na azide and diazoxide applied to the extracellular side of the membrane. FIG. 9B shows the current records obtained from the segments marked with the corresponding numbers in FIG. 9A, at higher temporal resolution.

[0028]FIG. 10 (comprised of FIGS. 10A, 10B and 10C) FIG. 10A shows outside-out patch recordings (a) before, (b) during, and (c) after application of glibenclamide to the extracellular side of the membrane. FIG. 10B shows the current records of FIG. 10A at higher temporal resolution. FIG. 10C show a plot of mean single channel amplitudes at the different potentials studied; the slope of the data indicates 35 pS conductance of the glibenclamide-sensitive channel.

[0029]FIG. 11 (comprised of FIGS. 11A and 11B) shows that sulfonylurea compounds inhibit channel activities. FIG. 11A shows the outside-out patch recordings with various concentrations of tolbutamide applied to the extracellular side of the membrane. FIG. 11B shows the dose-response curves for inhibition of open channel probability by glibenclamide and tolbutamide to provide a normalized open channel probability (n·Po); data were fit to a standard logistic equation, with a Hill coefficient of 1 and half-maximum inhibition of 48 nM and 16.1 μM; values plotted are means (±SE) from 3 and 5 patches for Glibenclamide and Tolbutamide, respectively.

[0030]FIG. 12 (comprised of FIGS. 12A, 12B, 12C, 12D, 12E, 12F, 12G, 12H and 12I); FIGS. 12A, 12B and 12C show the probability of channel opening in the presence of 0 μM, 3 μM, and 30 μM tolbutamide, respectively.

[0031]FIGS. 12D, 12E and 12F show the distribution of open channel dwell times in the presence of 0 μM, 3 μM, and 30 μM tolbutamide, respectively.

[0032]FIGS. 12G, 12H and 12I show the distribution of closed channel dwell times in the presence of 0 μM, 3 μM, and 30 μM tolbutamide, respectively.

[0033]FIG. 13 (comprised of FIGS. 13A, 13B and 13C) FIG. 13A shows outside-out patch recordings with diazoxide applied to the extracellular side of the membrane.

[0034]FIG. 13B shows current records at higher temporal resolution after application of diazoxide and at different membrane potentials.

[0035]FIG. 13C shows a plot of mean single channel amplitudes at the different potentials studied; the slope indicates 35 pS conductance of glibenclamide-sensitive channel.

[0036]FIGS. 14A, 14B and 14C are scanning electron micrographs of freshly isolated native reactive astrocytes. FIG. 14A shows the cells when formaldehyde-glutaraldehyde fixation was initiated under control conditions; FIG. 14B shows the cells fixed 5 min after exposure to 1 mM NaN3. FIG. 14C shows the cells fixed 25 min after exposure to 1 mM NaN3. Bar, 12 μm.

[0037]FIG. 15 (comprised of FIGS. 15A, 15B and 15C); FIG. 15A has photomicrographs of the epifluorescence images of cells exposed to different compounds and labeled with propidium iodide (upper panel a, b and c) or annexin V (lower panel d, e and f). The compounds were: control (a & d), 1 mM Na azide (b & e), 1 mM Na azide plus 1 μM glibenclamide (c & f). FIG. 15B has bar graphs showing cell-counts for propidium iodide labeling; pairwise multiple comparisons indicated a significant difference (p<0.05) with Na azide treatment; FIG. 15C has bar graphs showing cell-counts for annexin V staining; pairwise multiple comparisons indicated no significant difference with any treatment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0038] Some of the preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. This invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein.

[0039] The present invention relates to a novel ion channel whose function underlies the swelling of mammalian neural cells, such as in response to ATP depletion; the use of the channel to screen for channel inhibitors, and the use of inhibitors of the channel function to prevent this cell swelling response, which characterizes brain damage in cerebral ischemia and traumatic brain injury.

[0040] Sodium azide (NaN₃₎ is a metabolic toxin used to induce “chemical hypoxia” by depleting intracellular ATP. See, Swanson, 1992. The morphological and electrophysiological responses of neural cells to NaN₃ are examined in a novel cell preparation. Freshly isolated native reactive astrocytes (NRAs) from adult rat brain are used and studied in a native state immediately after their isolation. Reactive astrocytes are astrocytes that have been activated or stimulated in vivo, such as those associated with brain or neural injury. In the post-mortem brains of traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients, reactive astrocytes are found in proximity to the injury. The majority of reactive astrocytes surrounding an injury site in the brain are reactive astrocytes. Type 1 reactive astrocytes comprise >80% of recoverable reactive astrocytes, whereas type 2 reactive astrocytes comprise about 5%. Reactive astrocytes are normally polarized under quiescent conditions.

[0041] As used herein, the term “neural cells” includes astrocytes. The term “reactive astrocytes” means astrocytes found in brain at the site of a lesion or ischemia. The term “native reactive astrocytes” or “NRAs” means reactive astrocytes that are freshly isolated from brain. The term “freshly isolated” as used herein refers to NRAs that have been purified from brain, particularly NRAs that were purified from about 0 to about 72 hours previously. When NRAs are referred to as being “purified from brain” the word “purified” means that the NRAs are isolated from other brain tissue and/or implanted gelatin or sponge and does not refer to a process that simply harvests a population of cells from brain without further isolation of the cells. As described herein, the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel found in reactive astrocytes is present only in freshly isolated cells; the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel is lost shortly after culturing the cells. NRAs provide an in vitro model that is more similar to reactive astrocytes as they exist in vivo in the brain, than astrocytes grown in culture. The terms “native” and “freshly isolated” are used synonymously. As used herein, the term “isolated neural cells” means neural cells isolated from brain.

[0042] Reactive astrocytes are produced in vivo and harvested from brain according to a method system similar to that described by Perillan. See, Perillan et al., 1999; Perillan et al., 2000. Harvested cells are then isolated and not cultured; rather, the freshly isolated reactive astrocytes are studied in a native state immediately after their isolation from the brain.

[0043] The Examples described herein reveal that NRAs from adult rat brain express a non-selective cation channel that is activated by depletion of [ATP]i at physiological concentrations of [Ca²⁺]i. This NC_(Ca-ATP) channel of the present invention, which is newly identified in NRAs and present in >90% of membrane patches from such cells, is distinguished from previously reported non-selective calcium and ATP channels by exhibiting significantly different properties. These distinguishing properties of the NC_(Ca-ATP) of the present invention include: being activated by submicromolar [Ca] and exhibiting a different sensitivity to block by various adenine nucleotides. Opening of the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel of the present invention by ATP depletion causes profound membrane depolarization, which precedes blebbing of the cell membrane. Upon ATP depletion, the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel opens to allow Na⁺ influx that leads to cell swelling. This channel is regulated by sulfonylurea receptor type 1 (SUR1). The channel can be blocked by sulfonylurea, such as glibenclamide and tolbutamide; treatment with glybenclamide results in significant reduction in swelling and blebbing induced by chemical ATP depletion. This channel participates in the cation flux involved in cell swelling. A method of the present invention includes the use of sulfonylurea compounds to inhibit the flow of current through the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel and inhibit blebbing related to channel opening. Also, use of sulfonylurea compounds and other compounds that inhibit the flow of current through the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel, thus can have a therapeutic preventative effect on cell swelling in brain.

[0044] Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a composition comprising a membrane preparation expressing the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel. For example, the membrane preparation is derived from neural cells, such as isolated native reactive astrocytes (NRAs), preferably freshly isolated native reactive astrocytes. The NC_(Ca-ATP) channel in the composition has the following characteristics: (a) it is a 35 pS type channel; (b) it is stimulated by cytoplasmic Ca²⁺; (c) it opens when cytoplasmic ATP is less than about 0.8 μM; and (d) it is permeable to the monovalent cations K⁺, Cs⁺, Li⁺ and Na⁺ and it can be blocked by antagonists of the type 1 sulfonylurea receptor.

[0045] Furthermore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a method of screening for antagonists of the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel, comprising:(a) contacting a test compound with a composition comprising the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel; and (b) identifying test compounds that inhibit an activity of said channel by measuring said activity in the presence and absence of said test compound, wherein a test compound that inhibits said activity is identified as an antagonist of the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel. For example, the composition may contain a preparation of neural cells expressing the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel or a membrane preparation expressing the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel, such as a membrane preparation derived from isolated native reactive astrocytes (NRAs). The effect of the compound on this channel may include: (a) blocking the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel; (b) closing the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel; (c) preventing the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel from opening; and (d) reducing the magnitude of membrane current through the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel. It is also an object of the present invention to identify a compound that is an NC_(Ca-ATP) antagonist, including an NC_(Ca-ATP) channel inhibitor, an NC_(Ca-ATP) channel blocker, a SUR1 antagonist, SUR1 inhibitor, and/or a compound capable of reducing the magnitude of membrane current through the channel.

[0046] It is a further object of the invention to provide a method for identifying compounds that inhibit neural cell swelling, comprising:(a) contacting a test compound with a composition comprising the NCCa-ATP channel, and (b) determining whether the test compound blocks the NCCa-ATP channel, wherein a test compound that blocks the NCCa-ATP channel is identified as a compound for inhibiting neural cell swelling.

[0047] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a method for identifying compounds that inhibit brain swelling, comprising: (a) contacting a test compound with a composition comprising the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel, and (b) determining whether the test compound blocks the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel, wherein a test compound that blocks the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel is identified as a compound for inhibiting brain swelling.

[0048] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a method for identifying compounds that inhibit brain swelling, comprising: (a) contacting a test compound with a composition comprising the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel, and (b) determining whether the test compound inhibits neural cell swelling, wherein a test compound that inhibits neural cell swelling is identified as a compound for inhibiting brain swelling.

[0049] A further object of the present invention provides a method for identifying compounds that inhibit neural cell swelling in an animal, comprising: (a) contacting a test compound with a composition comprising the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel and determining whether the test compound blocks the channel, and (b) administering the test compound to an animal having a brain injury or cerebral ischemia, and determining whether the test compound inhibits brain swelling of the treated animal, wherein test compounds that inhibit brain swelling are identified as compounds that inhibit neural cell swelling in an animal.

[0050] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a method for identifying compounds that inhibit brain swelling, comprising: (a) contacting a test compound with a composition comprising the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel, and determining whether the test compound blocks the channel, and (b) administering the test compound to an animal having a brain injury or cerebral ischemia, and determining whether the test compound inhibits brain swelling of the treated animal, wherein test compounds that block the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel are identified as compounds that inhibit brain swelling.

[0051] In each of these objects of the present invention, the composition preferably comprises a preparation of neural cells expressing the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel or a membrane preparation expressing the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel, which preferably is derived from isolated native reactive astrocytes (NRAs). It is a further object of the present invention to provide the above methods using a compound that is an antagonist of a type 1 sulfonylurea receptor, such as a sulfonylurea compound, a benzamido derivative or an imidazoline derivative.

[0052] It is a further object of the present invention to provide these methods in which the determining step include, but are not limited to, detecting or identifying swelling of the native reactive astrocytes, such as by microscopic observation of cell appearance (normal, blebbing, swelling); measuring channel currents; measuring membrane potential; detecting expression of annexin V; detecting expression of propidium iodide; in vitro binding assays; and combinations thereof.

[0053] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a method of preventing neural cell swelling in the brain of a subject, said method comprising administering to the subject a formulation containing an effective amount of a compound that blocks the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

[0054] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a method of alleviating the negative effects of traumatic brain injury or cerebral ischemia stemming from neural cell swelling in a subject, comprising administering to the subject a formulation comprising an effective amount of a compound that blocks the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. Such administration may be delivery directly to the brain, intravenous, subcutaneous, intramuscular, intracutaneous, intragastric and oral administration. Examples of such compounds include antagonist of a type 1 sulfonylurea receptor, such as sulfonylureas like glibenclamide and tolbutamide, as well as other insulin secretagogues such as repaglinide, nateglinide, meglitinide, midaglizole, LY397364, LY389382, gliclazide, glimepiride, MgADP, and combinations thereof.

[0055] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a formulation for preventing or inhibiting neural cell swelling in the brain of a subject, using a formulation that includes a compound that blocks the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, wherein the quantity of said compound is at least 10 times greater than the quantity of said compound in formulations for treating diabetes.

EXAMPLES

[0056] The following examples are provided for further illustration of the present invention, and do not limit the invention. The examples provided herein are for illustrative purposes only, and are in no way intended to limit the scope of the present invention. While the invention has been described in detail, and with reference to specific embodiments thereof, it will be apparent to one with ordinary skill in the art that various changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. Experiments and exemplary procedures are described below which provide additional enabling support for the present invention. In particular, in vitro studies using freshly isolated reactive astrocytes and in vivo studies using appropriate animal models are disclosed.

[0057] General Methods

[0058] Cell Preparation

[0059] Reactive astrocytes are produced in vivo and harvested from adult brain in the following manner: gelatin sponges (Gelfoam®, Upjohn Co., Kalamazoo Mich.) are implanted into a stab wound in the parietal lobe of 8 week old Wistar rats as described herein. Sponge pieces are harvested at 8 days and washed three times in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS, pH 7.4) to remove adherent tissue. Depending on the number of NRAs required for a particular study, the sponge pieces may be harvested earlier or later after implantation into a stab wound, with the preferred harvest being conducted from about 2 days to about 30 days after implantation, and the most preferred range being conducted from about 2 days to about 3 days after implantation.

[0060] NRAs are freshly isolated from the sponge pieces in the following manner: washed pieces are placed in an Eppendorf tube containing artificial cerebrospinal fluid (aCSF) composed of (mM): 124 mM NaCl, 5.0 mM, 1.3 mM MgCl₂, 2.0 mM CaCl₂, 26 mM NaHCO₃, and 10 mM D-glucose; at pH 7.4, ≈290 mOsm, wherein the aCSF contains papain 20 U/ml, trypsin inhibitor 10 mg/ml and DNase 0.01% (Worthington, Lakewood, N.J.), the entirety of which is referred to as a “digestion system.” This digestion system is transferred to an incubator (humidified 90%/10% air/CO₂, 37° C.) for 20 minutes, and is gently triturated every 5 minutes. The cell suspension is centrifuged at 3,000 rpm for 1 minute. The pelleted cells are resuspended in aCSF and stored at 4° C. until studied.

[0061] For some studies, prior to resuspension in aCSF, the pelleted cells can be further purified by removing red blood cells (RBCs) using density gradient centrifugation in Histopaque-1077 (Sigma Diagnostics, St. Louis, Mo.). This further purification process can produce a population of cells in which <<1% are RBCs, as determined by phase contrast microscopy.

[0062] Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM)

[0063] To study cell blebbing and swelling, freshly isolated cells are exposed at room temperature to NaN₃ then, after various time intervals, cells are fixed using iced 4% formaldehyde+1% glutaraldehyde for 24 hours then dehydrated using serial concentrations (35, 50, 75, 95, 100%) of ethanol. Specimens are critical point dried (Tousimis), gold coated (Technics), and viewed using an AMR 1000 scanning electron microscope.

[0064] Electrophysiology

[0065] Experiments are carried out at room temperature, 22-25° C., using NRAs within 24 hour of cell isolation. An aliquot of these freshly isolated NRAs is placed in the recording chamber filled with extracellular bath solution containing (mM): NaCl 130, KCl 10, CaCl₂ 1, MgCl₂ 1, HEPES 32.5, glucose 12.5, pH 7.4. After viable cells adhere to the surface, flushing with excess solution washes away residual debris not previously removed by centrifugation. Membrane currents are amplified (Axopatch 200A, Axon Instruments, Foster City, Calif.) and sampled on-line at 5 kHz using a microcomputer equipped with a digitizing board (Digidata 1200A, Axon Instruments) and running Clampex software (version 8.0, Axon Instruments). Membrane currents are recorded in intact cells using both the cell-attached and the nystatin-perforated whole-cell configurations, according to methods described in Horn and Marty, 1988. Membrane currents are recorded in cell-free isolated membrane patches, using both the inside-out and outside-out configurations, such as those described in Hamill et al., 1981. Patch clamp pipettes, pulled from borosilicate glass (Kimax, Fisher Scientific, Pittsburgh, Pa.), have resistances of 6-8 MΩ for single channel recordings and 2-4 MΩ for experiments using the nystatin-perforated whole-cell technique. The bath electrode is a Ag/AgCl pellet (Clark Electromedical, Reading, England) that is placed directly in the bath except when the bath [Cl⁻] is altered, in which case an agar bridge made with 3 M KCl is used to connect to the bath.

[0066] The terms “intracellular” and “cytoplasmic” are interchangeable, as are the terms “extracellular” and “external”. The terms “voltage” and “potential” are interchangeable when referring to membrane voltage or membrane potential. “Clamping” a cell membrane refers to holding the voltage across the cell membrane constant and measuring changes in membrane current as membrane resistance changes due to ion channel opening and closing (“voltage clamp”) or holding the current across the cell membrane constant and measuring changes in membrane voltage as membrane resistance changes due to ion channel opening and closing (“current clamp”). When a membrane voltage is imposed on the cell, for example with a “ramp” or “pulse”, it is understood that the cell membrane has been voltage-clamped and membrane current is being measured. When membrane “resting potential” is measured, it is understood that the cell membrane has been current-clamped and membrane voltage is being measured.

[0067] The “whole-cell” experimental configuration refers to a situation in which a recording pipette penetrates the cell membrane so that the pipette solution is continuous with the cytoplasm or the membrane under the pipette is perforated using nystatin, the external solution is in contact with the extracellular membrane, and current or voltage recordings represent measurements from the entire cell membrane. The “cell-attached patch” experimental configuration refers to a situation in which the pipette contacts the cell so that the patch is still forming part of the intact cell membrane and channels in the patch are recorded. The “outside-out patch” experimental configuration refers to a situation in which an excised patch of cell membrane is sealed to the tip of a recording pipette so that the pipette solution is in contact with the extracellular side of the membrane, the external solution is in contact with the cytoplasmic side of the membrane, and current or voltage recordings represent measurements from the excised patch of membrane. The “inside-out patch” experimental configuration refers to a situation in which an excised patch of cell membrane is sealed to the tip of a recording pipette so that the pipette solution is in contact with the cytoplasmic side of the membrane, the external solution is in contact with the extracellular side of the membrane, and current or voltage recordings represent measurements from the excised patch of membrane.

[0068] The term “patches” includes, but is not limited to: inside-out patches, outside-out patches, an excised patch of a cell membrane, or a cell-attached patch. The term “membrane preparation” includes patches as well as cell membranes isolated from mammalian cells or tissues. Isolated mammalian cell membranes are produced by methods well known in the art. One example of such a membrane preparation is a microsomal fraction purified from disrupted cells or a tissue sample by discontinuous sucrose gradient centrifugation.

[0069] Patches with seal resistance of <3 GΩ and access resistance of >50 MΩ are discarded. Macroscopic membrane currents are measured during step pulses (600 ms) or during ramp pulses (−140 to +50 mV at 0.32 mV/ms) from a holding potential of −67 mV.

[0070] Recording Solutions

[0071] For whole cell macroscopic recordings, a nystatin perforated patch technique is used, with a bath solution containing (mM): NaCl 130, KCl 10, CaCl₂ 1, MgCl₂ 1, HEPES 32.5, glucose 12.5, pH 7.4. The pipette solution contains (mM): KCl 55, K₂SO₄ 75, MgCl₂ 8, and HEPES 10, pH 7.2. Nystatin, 50 mg (Calbiochem) is dissolved in dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), 1 ml. Working solutions are made before the experiment by adding 16.5 μl nystatin stock solution to 5 ml of the base pipette solution to yield a final concentration of nystatin of 165 μg/ml and DMSO 3.3 μl/ml. This composition of the pipette solution includes K₂SO₄ instead of a portion of the KCl that would otherwise be included. The SO₄2-anion, unlike Cl—, is not permeable through the nystatin pore. Reducing the pipette [Cl—] reduces the driving force for Cl— into the cell, thereby minimizing osmotic swelling of the cell that might otherwise occur during electrophysiological recording (Horn and Marty, 1988).

[0072] For cell-attached patch recording, a bath solution is used containing (mM): NaCl 130, KCl 10, CaCl₂ 1, MgCl₂ 1, HEPES 32.5, glucose 12.5, pH 7.4. The pipette contains (mM): KCl 145, MgCl₂ 1, CaCl₂ 0.2, EGTA 5, HEPES 10, pH 7.28. The measured osmolarity of the extracellular solution is ≈300 mOsm (Precision Systems, Natick, Mass.).

[0073] For most inside-out patch recording, a bath solution is used containing (mM): CsCl 145, CaCl₂ 4.5, MgCl₂ 1, EGTA 5, HEPES 32.5, glucose 12.5, pH 7.4. The pipette contains (mM): CsCl 145, MgCl₂ 1, CaCl₂ 0.2, EGTA 5, HEPES 10, pH 7.28. For other inside-out patch recordings, Cs+ in the above solutions is replaced with equimolar K+. For the inorganic cation substitution experiments, Cs+ in the pipette is replaced by equimolar concentrations of individual test ions, except when using Ca²⁺ or Mg²⁺, in which cases a concentration of 75 mM is used to facilitate seal formation (Cook et al., 1990).

[0074] For outside-out patch recording, the pipette solution contains (mM): CsCl 145, MgCl₂ 1, CaCl₂ 0.2, EGTA 5, HEPES 10, pH 7.28. The standard bath solution contains (mM): CsCl 145, CaCl₂ 4.5, MgCl₂ 1, EGTA 5, HEPES 32.5, glucose 12.5, pH 7.4. For the organic cation substitution experiments, Cs+in the bath is replaced with equimolar concentrations of test cation.

[0075] For experiments requiring low concentration of free Ca²⁺ in bath solution, Ca²⁺-EGTA buffered solution is employed, and free [Ca²⁺] is calculated using the program WEBMAXC v2.10 (http://www.stanford.edu/˜cpatton/maxc.html). For [Ca²⁺]=1 μM, 5 mM EGTA is used and 4.5 mM Ca²⁺ salt. [Ca²⁺]=1 μM is also used in solutions to test intracellular ATP and Mg²⁺ activities.

[0076] Single-channel amplitudes used to calculate slope conductance are obtained by fitting a Gaussian function to an all-points amplitude histogram of records obtained at various potentials. To calculate open channel probability (n·Po) at various potentials and with different test agents, the all-points histogram is fit to a Gaussian function and the area under the fitted curve for the open channel is divided by the area under the fitted curve for the closed plus open channel. Values of n·Po at different concentration of test agents are fit to a standard logistic equation using a least-squares method.

[0077] For estimating ionic permeabilities of various cations relative to that for K+, each permeability (Px/PK) is obtained from its reversal potential (Erev) by fitting to the Goldman-Hodgkin-Katz (GHK) equation well known in the art. See Goldman 1943; Hodgkin and Katz, 1949. Current-voltage data are fit to the GHK equation, assuming that both K+ and the test ion are permeant.

[0078] To estimate the pore size of the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel of the present invention, the relative permeabilities of organic cations are evaluated. The Stokes-Einstein radius (rse) is calculated from the limiting conductivities (·) of the ions with the formula: r_(SE)·λ=constant. The constant is determined from the behavior of TEA at 25° C., for which λ=44.9 cm²Ω−1, r_(SE)=0.204 nm. The Stoke-Einstein radius is then converted to the molecular radius using correction factors read off from FIG. 6.1 in Robinson and Stokes, 1970. The equivalent limiting conductance for ethanolamine is given (ibid.) and those of other ions are calculated from their molecular weight by the formula, MW 0.5·λ=constant. The constant is determined by the value for ethanolamine at 25° C.: MW=62.1 and λ=4.42 cm²Ω⁻¹ equiv⁻¹. Relative permeabilities (Px/PCs) are then plotted against the calculated ionic radii. The effect of solute size on the rate of penetration (permeability) through pores is expressed by the Renkin equation (Renkin, 1955):

a/a ₀=[1−(r/R)]²·[1-2.104(r/R)+2.09(r/R)³−0.95(r/R)⁵]  (1)

[0079] in which a, a₀, r, and R are the effective area of the pore, the total cross sectional area of the pore, radius of the solute, and radius of the pore, respectively.

[0080] Junction potentials are determined with an electrometer by measuring the diffusion potential established across a dialysis membrane and are subtracted when appropriate. Holding currents are not subtracted from any of the recordings. Difference currents are obtained by simply subtracting current records before and after perfusing NaN₃, with no other processing being employed.

[0081] Results

[0082] The Role of the NC_(Ca-ATP) Channel in Neural Cell Swelling

[0083] Characterization of the Channel

Example 1

[0084] Morphological Changes with ATP Depletion Using NaN₃

[0085] Cultured neural cells have been shown to swell upon ATP depletion. See, Jurkowitz-Alexander et al., 1992; Jurkowitz-Alexander et al., 1993. Freshly isolated NRAs depleted of ATP also results in cell swelling. Ischemia or traumatic injury in brain also causes depletion of ATP in brain neural cells.

[0086] The surfaces of freshly isolated NRAs are highly complex, exhibiting small membrane evaginations and fine processes that decorate the entire cell surface, as shown in the scanning electron micrograph in FIG. 14A. Exposure of NRAs to NaN₃ (1 mM) causes changes in the surface appearance, characterized early-on by loss of complex structure and development of surface blebs (FIG. 14B), followed later by a grossly swollen appearance with complete loss of fine structure and formation of multiple large blebs (FIG. 14C). Therefore, NRAs undergo blebbing and swelling after NaN3-induced ATP depletion.

[0087] Phase contrast microscopy is also useful for assessing this process, although fine structure cannot be resolved. Blebbing is visibly apparent 10-15 minutes after exposure to NaN₃. Morphological changes of this sort are attributable to loss of cytoskeletal integrity, combined with action of an osmotic force that causes swelling of the cell.

[0088] To assess the contribution of the osmotic gradient to cell swelling, the experiment is repeated in the presence of mannitol, an impermeant oncotic agent. Mannitol (50 mM), at a concentration sufficient to increase osmolarity of the extracellular solution from 300 to 350 mOsm, delays bleb formation>30 minutes after exposure to NaN₃. Cellular ATP also can be depleted using exposure to NaCN (2.5 mM) plus 2-deoxyglucose (10 mM). See, Johnson et al., 1994. Similar morphologic changes, including cell membrane blebbing and delay of blebbing by mannitol are obtained following exposure to NaCN and 2-deoxyglucose. This demonstrates that the effect of NaN₃ is due in fact to ATP depletion and not to any other non-specific effect of NaN₃.

Example 2

[0089] General Electrophysiological Properties of NRAs

[0090] The macroscopic currents of whole cell preparations of NRAs are characterized by small inward currents at negative potentials, large outward currents at positive potentials, and a flat “plateau” region at intermediate potentials. NRAs exhibit macroscopic currents that are consistent with observations in primary cultured cells of the same origin. See, Perillan et al., 1999; Perillan et al., 2000. The NRAs exhibited inward currents negative to the K⁺ equilibrium potential (E_(K)) are usually <100 pA, much smaller than values reported in cultured neonatal astrocytes (Ransom and Sontheimer, 1995), but consistent with findings in astrocytes freshly isolated from injured brain (Bordey and Sontheimer, 1998; Schroder et al., 1999). The large outward currents in NRAs are partially blocked by charybdotoxin (100 nM), iberiotoxin (100 nM) and tetraethylammonium chloride (5 mM), consistent with the presence of a large conductance Ca²⁺-activated K⁺ channel. See, Perillan et al., 1999. The outward current that remains in the presence of charybdotoxin can be further blocked by 4-aminopyridine (5 mM), and exhibits kinetic properties typical of a delayed rectifier K⁺ channel. Consistent with a previous report (Perillan et al., 1999), fast inward voltage dependent currents attributable to Na⁺ channels are observed in less that 1% of NRAs.

[0091] NaN₃ Elicits Depolarizing Inward Current Due to 35 pS Channel

[0092] Current clamp recordings are used to investigate the effect of ATP depletion by NaN₃ in NRAs. For these experiments, a nystatin-perforated patch method is used to assure that the metabolic disruption comes from drug application and not cell dialysis. Extracellular application of NaN₃ (1 mM; room temperature) results in a large and swift depolarization of the cells (FIG. 1A). NaN₃ rapidly depolarizes the cells to E_(m)≈0 mV (−4.3±0.9 mV). Depolarization usually starts ˜1 minute after addition of NaN₃, is complete in <3 minutes, and is irreversible on washout of drug. Ouabain is a known Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase blocker. See, Brismar and Collins, 1993. The magnitude of the depolarization observed with NaN₃ far exceeds the small reversible depolarization induced by ouabain (1 mM). This indicates that the large depolarization observed after exposure to NaN₃ is not caused by Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase pump failure.

[0093] The time course of depolarization with NaN₃ is appreciably more rapid than the time course for development of cell membrane blebbing observed with the same treatment. Also, neither the time course nor the magnitude of the depolarization is affected by raising the extracellular osmolarity with 50 mM mannitol, a treatment that substantially delays bleb formation. Thus, depolarization is a primary event, not secondary to cell swelling or stretch.

[0094] Voltage-clamp recordings show that exposure to NaN₃ results in a net increase of inward current in NRAs. Recordings obtained using both ramp (FIG. 1B) and step pulses (FIG. 1C) show significantly larger currents after NaN₃ treatment, as shown by comparing the recordings before (a) and after (b) NaN₃ treatment. A plot of the “difference currents”, obtained by subtracting the current-voltage curve before drug from that after drug (line c in FIG. 1B), indicates that the new current turned on by NaN₃ reverses near 0 mV. A reversal potential near 0 mV is indicative that the NaN₃-induced current results from a non-specific cation conductance.

[0095] To further characterize the NaN₃-induced current, cell-attached patch recordings are used. Exposure to NaN₃ elicits single channel currents in patches that exhibit no single channel currents prior to addition of drug (FIG. 1D). After addition of NaN₃, recordings at low temporal resolution reveal a large increase in current variance that, after increasing temporal resolution, is revealed to be due to single channel events (FIG. 1E at 3 and 4). The amplitudes of single-channel events recorded at different membrane potentials are plotted in FIG. 1F, which shows that NaN₃ activates a single channel conductance of ≈35 pS that exhibits weak inward rectification when measured in the cell-attached configuration.

[0096] Additional experiments are carried out in the cell-attached configuration with the pipette solution supplemented with various drugs. The NaN₃-induced single channel currents are not blocked by 10 mM TEA, 5 mM 4-AP, 100 nM iberiotoxin, 100 nM charybdotoxin, or 1 μM tetrodotoxin (4-6 patches for each compound). These experiments indicating that a typical K⁺ or Na⁺ channel is not involved. Also, because 0.2 mM Ca²⁺ is included in the pipette solution, these single channel openings are unlikely to be due to monovalent cation influx via an L-type Ca²⁺ channel.

[0097] Similar depolarization and activation of a 35 pS channel are obtained when cellular ATP is depleted using exposure to NaCN (2.5 mM) plus 2-deoxyglucose (10 mM). This demonstrates that the effect of NaN₃ is caused by ATP depletion and not by any other non-specific effect of NaN₃.

[0098] Apart from ATP depletion, patch excision is also a highly reliable method for channel activation. Of the more than 120 cells studied in the cell-attached configuration, spontaneous channel activity attributable to a ≈35 pS conductance is detected in only 2 cells. Thus, the NCCa-ATP channel of the present invention is typically silent in metabolically healthy cells. By contrast, a ≈35-pS channel is present in >90% of inside-out patches formed from NRAs not exposed to NaN₃ or other metabolic toxins, thus demonstrating that an intracellular element lost on patch excision normally prevents channel activation.

[0099] Another potential mechanism of channel activation other than patch excision is regulatory volume decrease (RVD). Cell swelling is widely recognized as a stimulus that initiates RVD, a phenomenon accompanied by activation of various currents, including a non-selective cation channel in some systems. See, Ono et al., 1994. When membrane patches are studied in a cell-attached configuration, hyposmotic stimulation (210 mosmol/kgH₂O) activated single channel events, but none exhibit a ≈35 pS conductance. This finding indicates that the depolarization and channel activation observed with NaN₃ are not part of an RVD response secondary to NaN₃-induced cell swelling, and accords with the previously noted observation that NaN₃-induced depolarization preceded cell swelling. This fact is supported by the observation that the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel is seldom observed in cell attached patches from healthy cells, but becomes evident in >90% of patches after conversion to an inside-out configuration. Also, the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel is lost shortly after culturing reactive astrocytes.

Example 3

[0100] Relative Permeabilities and Pore-Size

[0101] The channel is further characterized using membrane patches in the inside-out configuration. Records obtained during test pulses to various potentials with equal [K⁺] on both sides of the membrane are shown in FIG. 2A. Amplitude histograms are constructed of events observed at potentials from −140 mV to +100 mV, and values (mean±SE) for 4 patches are plotted and show in FIG. 2B. Fit of the data to a linear equation indicates a slope conductance of 35 pS, with an extrapolated reversal potential (E_(rev)) of +0.1 mV, close to the expected K⁺ reversal potential (E_(K)) of 0 mV.

[0102] In addition to conducting K⁺, the channel transports a variety of alkaline ions (FIG. 3A), indicating that it is a non-selective cation channel. In inside-out patches, the conductance of the channel is measured with various alkaline ions in the pipette solution, including Cs⁺, Na⁺, Rb⁺, K⁺, and Li⁺, always with equimolar K⁺ in the bath solution. Current-voltage data are fit to the GHK equation. Na⁺ is shown to have a nearly equal slope conductance (32.6 pS) compared to K⁺ (35.2 pS), but the slope conductance is reduced with other cations (FIG. 3B). Measurements of E_(rev) are used to estimate relative permeabilities for the series of alkaline ions. Values for relative permeabilities derived from the GHK equation are P_(Cs) ⁺/P_(K) ⁺=1.06, P_(Na) ⁺/P_(K) ⁺=1.04, P_(Rb) ⁺/P_(K) ⁺=1.02, and P_(Li) ⁺/P_(K) ⁺=0.96, indicating that this channel is nearly equally permeable to all monovalent cations.

[0103] The permeability of the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel of the present invention to anions, such as Cl⁻, is also assessed. After measuring single channel current amplitudes at different potentials with 145 mM KCl, the bath solution is changed to equimolar K+ gluconate. When an agar bridge is used, the solution change resulted in a change in Erev<0.5 mV, indicating that the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel of the present invention is essentially impermeable to anions.

[0104] The permeability of the instant channel to divalent cations, Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺, is also investigated (FIG. 3C). When potassium ion in the pipette solution is replaced with 75 mM Ca²⁺ or Mg²⁺, inward currents are not detected. Fit to the GHK equation gives best fit values for E_(rev)<<−65 mV for Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ respectively, giving relative permeabilities with respect to K⁺ of <<0.001, indicating that this channel is essentially impermeable to divalent cations.

[0105] Because the NC_(Ca)-ATP channel of the present invention discriminates very poorly among monovalent inorganic cations (FIGS. 3A and B), experiments are performed to determine the equivalent pore size of the channel by measuring channel permeability, relative to Cs^(+,) for a wide range of organic cations. Using an outside-out patch configuration, single-channel current-voltage relations are plotted to obtain E_(rev) for a number of organic cations. Permeability ratios are then derived from fits to the GHK equation. For each of the organic cations (a) methanolamine, (b) guanidium, (c) ethanolamine, (d) diethylamine, (e) piperazine, (f) Tris, and (g) N-methylglucamine, the mean value of relative permeability measured is plotted against its hydrated molecular radius (FIG. 3D, empty circles). The permeability ratios define a smoothly declining series of values that are well fit by the Renkin equation. The Renkin equation describes the permeation of a rigid sphere through a cylindrical pore. Renkin, 1955. Least-squares, fit to the equation, indicates an equivalent pore radius of 0.67 nm for the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel of the present invention. A 0.67 nm pore radius is similar to pore sizes of 6 Å, found for the Ca²⁺ channel (McCleskey and Almers, 1985) and 7.4 Å, found for the nAChR channel (Adams et al., 1980). Junction potentials determined according to the methods described herein generally did not exceed 5 mV.

Example 4

[0106] Inhibition by [ATP]_(i)

[0107] The NC_(Ca-ATP) channel is inhibited by intracellular ATP, based on the finding that this channel is turned on after depleting intracellular ATP by exposure to NaN₃ (See FIGS. 1B, 1C, 1D and 1E) or to NaCN plus 2-deoxyglucose. This fact is supported by the observation that the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel of the present invention is seldom observed in cell attached patches from healthy cells, but becomes evident in >90% of patches after conversion to an inside-out configuration.

[0108] Inside-out patches are used to demonstrate that the channel is sensitive to block by ATP on the cytoplasmic side of the membrane. Patches are studied using Cs⁺ as the charge carrier, to assure that no K⁺ channel, such as Kir2.3 or K_(ATP), is contributing to patch activity. With no ATP and 1 μM Ca²⁺ in the bath, the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel exhibits vigorous openings. 1 mM ATP causes profound diminution in channel activity, an effect that is readily reversed on washout (FIG. 4A); however, channel availability is unaffected by 1 mM AMP or ADP. The open channel probability (n·Po) is measured at different [ATP]_(i), and these values are normalized to that obtained at [ATP]_(i)=0 mM, and fitted to a standard logistic equation. As shown in FIG. 4B, the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel is blocked by [ATP]_(i) in a dose-dependent manner. Half maximum inhibition (IC₅₀) is observed at [ATP]_(i)=0.79 μM with a Hill coefficient of 1, and channel activity is completely abolished at [ATP]_(i)>30 μM. ADP and AMP, have no effect on the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel activity in inside-out patches.

[0109] This in vitro assay for determining the concentration of the test compound which achieves a half-maximal inhibition of channel activity (IC₅₀₎ may be used to formulate dose in animal models to achieve a circulating plasma concentration range that includes the IC₅₀.

Example 5

[0110] Activation by [Ca²⁺]_(i)

[0111] The Ca²⁺ concentration on the cytoplasmic side of the membrane is also found to regulate activity of the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel of the present invention. The relationship between NC_(Ca-ATP) channel activity and [Ca²⁺]i is examined using inside-out patches studied at membrane potential (Em)=−80 mV. Changing [Ca²⁺]i clearly affects activity of the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel (FIG. 5A). When free [Ca²⁺]i is <30 nM, no channel activity is apparent. With [Ca²⁺]i>30 nM, the open probability (n·Po) increases in accordance with the [Ca²⁺]i, up to ≈1 μM of [Ca²⁺]_(i) at which activity is near maximum.

[0112] The effect of Ca²⁺ on channel availability is found to depend on membrane voltage. Values of n·Po from 4-9 patches obtained at three different potentials, E_(m)=−40 mV, −80 mV and −120 mV, are normalized to values observed with 3 μM [Ca²⁺]_(i). These data are fit to a standard logistic equation using a Hill coefficient of 1.5 and half-maximum values of 0.12 μM, 0.31 μM and 1.5 μM at −40 mV, −80 mV and −120 mV, respectively (FIG. 5B). These data indicate that channel activity is strongly dependent on [Ca²⁺]_(i) at physiologically relevant concentrations, and that the effect of Ca²⁺ is voltage dependent, consistent with a Ca²⁺ binding site inside the electric field of the membrane.

Example 6

[0113] Internal Mg²⁺ Causes Rectification

[0114] Because certain channels are sensitive to intracellular Mg²⁺ (Chuang et al., 1997; Perillan et al., 2000), experiments are carried out to determine whether the channel rectification observed in cell-attached patch recordings (see FIG. 1F) might be due to intracellular Mg²⁺. Using inside-out patches studied with equimolar K⁺ on both sides of the membrane, [Mg²⁺] is varied on the cytoplasmic side. Single channel records and channel amplitudes observed with different [Mg²⁺]_(i) are shown (FIG. 6). No rectification is evident with [Mg²⁺]_(i)≈30 μM, but at [Mg²⁺]_(i)≈100 μM, increasingly strong rectification is present. At 100 μM, Mg²⁺ appears to produce a flickery block.

Example 7

[0115] Identifying the Presence of SUR in NRAs

[0116] To determine if SUR receptors are present in NRAs, the binding of glibenclamide to these cells is assessed by fluorescence microscopy. Eight week old Wistar rats are injured by a stab wound into the subcortical white matter and implantation of a gelatin sponge as previously described herein. Eight days later, tissue sections of formaldehyde-fixed brains from injured animals are incubated for 60 minutes at room temperature with 20 nM FITC-conjugated glibenclamide. A fluorescence image of the gelatin sponge shows labeled cells lining the cavities of the sponge. In brain adjacent to the injury, essentially no glibenclamide binding is apparent. These data indicate that SUR, which are not normally present in subcortical white matter, are expressed in neural cells following traumatic injury.

[0117] RT-PCR

[0118] Total RNA is extracted from cells and used to synthesize cDNA, which is amplified from reactive astrocytes is analyzed by RT-PCR on an agarose gel stained with ethidium bromide. FIG. 7A is a photograph of the gel showing the RT-PCR for SUR1 and SUR2. FIG. 7B is a photograph of a gel showing the RT-PCR for Kir6.1 and Kir6.2. Lanes 3 and 4 in FIGS. 7A and 7B show the RT-PCR for insulinoma cells. Lanes 5 and 6 show the RT-PCR for reactive astrocytes. Lane 1 in FIGS. 7A and 7B represents ladder size markers; Lane 2 in FIGS. 7A and 7B is a blank control. In FIG. 7A, lanes 3 and 4 show the SUR1 and SUR2 experiments, respectively, in insulinoma cells. Insulinoma cells are known to express SUR1, but not SUR2. Lanes 5 and 6 in FIG. 7A show the SUR1 and SUR2 experiments in reactive astrocytes, respectively. FIG. 7A shows that SUR1 mRNA is present in reactive astrocytes, as well as in the control insulinoma cells. SUR2 is absent in both cell types. In FIG. 7B, lanes 3 and 4 show the Kir6.1 and Kir6.2 experiments in insulinoma cells, respectively. Kir6.1 is present in insulinoma cells, but Kir6.2 is not. Kir6 is the potassium channel associated with SUR1 in insulinoma cells. Lane 5 and 6 in FIG. 7B show that neither Kir6.1 nor Kir6.2 is present in reactive astrocytes. Therefore, reactive astrocytes express SUR1 mRNA, but Kir6.1 and Kir6.2 mRNA is absent from the cells.

[0119] The presence of SUR1 in reactive astrocytes combined with the regulation of the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel in astrocytes by SUR antagonists indicates that SUR regulates the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel of the present invention.

Example 8

[0120] Tryptic Digests

[0121] A characteristic feature of SUR-regulated K_(ATP) function is that tryptic digestion of the cytoplasmic face of the channel, but not its extracellular face causes loss of inhibition by sulfonylureas, without altering sensitivity to ATP and without changing the biophysical properties of the channel. The effect of trypsin on NC_(Ca-ATP) function is shown in FIG. 8. Under control conditions, channel activity in the inside-out patch configuration is strongly inhibited by 1 μM glibenclamide. Exposure to 100 μg/ml trypsin on the cytoplasmic side of the membrane for 3 minutes yields a patch that still exhibits strong channel activity, but that channel activity is completely unaffected by glibenclamide. After such trypsin treatment of the cytoplasmic side, the biophysical properties of the channel, including open channel conductance, open channel times, Ca²⁺-mediated activation are unchanged, and the channel still maintains its typical sensitivity to ATP. By contrast, exposure of the extracellular side of the membrane has no effect on glibenclamide inhibition. These trypsin digest data on the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel of the present invention provide additional supporting evidence that SUR1 is involved in regulation of the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel, because the results compare to previous findings from SUR1-regulated K_(ATP) channels. Linkage of a SUR to a non-selective ATP sensitive cation channel, has not been shown previously.

[0122] Assays for Compounds or Compositions that Block NC_(Ca-ATP) Channel and Inhibit Neural Cell Swelling

Example 9

[0123] Effects of Sulfonylurea Compounds

[0124] Sulfonylurea compounds are known to modulate the sulfonylurea receptor. A sulfonylurea receptor is generally associated with K_(ATP) channels as a regulatory component, and is found in various tissues, including rat NRAs. Notably, the K_(ATP) channels Kir6.1 and Kir6.2 are not present in rat NRAs (FIG. 7B). It is possible to activate the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel with SUR ligand diazoxide in outside-out patches (FIGS. 9A and 9B). NaN₃ does not elicit channel activity in isolated membrane patches, indicating that it works via ATP depletion rather than any direct effect on the channel.

Example 10

[0125] In Vitro Assays for Determining Dose-Dependent Blockage of the NC_(Ca-ATP) Channel

[0126] SUR1 blocking compounds, such as glibenclamide and tolbutamide, are known to have an inhibitory effect on K_(ATP) channels. In one embodiment, the present invention arrives at the objects of the invention by providing a method in which the direct inhibitory effect of glibenclamide and tolbutamide on NC_(Ca-ATP) channels is determined (FIGS. 10 and 11). Inside-out patches are used to show the inhibitory effect of sulfonylureas. To ensure that no K+ channel, particularly K_(ATP) is contributing to patch current, Cs+ is used as the charge carrier. Channel activity is profoundly diminished by the addition of 10 μM glibenclamide (FIGS. 10A at b), and the activity is shown to be due to a 35 pS cation channel, which is consistent with the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel of the present invention (FIG. 10C). Another sulfonylurea, tolbutamide, is also shown to inhibit NC_(Ca-ATP) channel activity (FIGS. 11A and 11B). As shown in FIG. 11B, the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel is blocked by the sulfonylureas in a dose-dependent manner. With tolbutamide, half maximum inhibition (EC₅₀) is observed at 16.1 μM with a Hill coefficient of 1.3, and channel activity is completely lost at concentrations >300 μM. With glibenclamide, EC₅₀ is observed at 48 nM with a Hill coefficient of 1.2. The sensitivity of the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel of the present invention to blocking in NRAs with both of these sulfonylurea compounds corresponds closely to that reported in pancreatic β cells and in expression systems with SUR1, but not SUR2.

[0127] This in vitro assay for determining the concentration of the test compound which achieves a half-maximal inhibition of channel activity may be used to formulate dose in animal models to achieve a circulating plasma concentration range.

Example 11

[0128] Mechanism of Channel Regulation by Sulfonylureas

[0129] The NC_(Ca-ATP) channel of the present invention exhibits two open states, with a shorter and a longer dwell time, each less than 10 ms. FIG. 12 shows data from a patch exhibiting an open channel probability (n·Po) of 0.63, with open dwell time values τ₀₋₁ and τ₀₋₂ of 1.9 and 8.2 ms. After successive application of 3 μM tolbutamide (FIGS. 12B and 12E) and 30 μM tolbutamide (FIGS. 12C and 12F), n·Po decreased to 0.44 and 0.09, respectively, but the open dwell time values are not appreciably affected by the drug. Closed channel dwell times are increased in duration and frequency by tolbutamide (FIGS. 12H and 12I). Thus, the channel of the present inventions exhibits a form of channel inhibition in which the blocking compound had no effect on open channel dwell times and a progressive increase in long closures. This form of channel inhibition is similar to that produced by sulfonylureas acting on the K_(ATP) channel in pancreatic β cells. See, Gillis et. al., 1989; Babeenko et. al., 1999).

Example 12

[0130] Application of 100 μM of the SUR-activator diazoxide activates the 35 pS channel of the present invention, causing weak inward rectification in cell-attached patches (FIGS. 13A, 13B and 13C). To determine the type of SUR affecting activation of the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel of the present invention, experiments are conducted using sulfonylurea compounds that preferentially activate SUR 2 over SUR1, namely cromakalin, and pinacidil. Both cromakalin and pinacidil had no effect on the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel of the present invention, which is consistent with other data described herein indicating that SUR1 is associated with the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel of the present invention, and activation of the channel is not mediated by SUR2.

Example 13

[0131] SUR-Mediated Cell Swelling

[0132] After addition of NaN₃ to deplete ATP in cells, cell blebbing typically becomes apparent in 7-10 minutes. Diazoxide is an SUR1 agonist or SUR1 activator. When diazoxide alone is added to the cells, blebbing occurs even without ATP depletion, Diazoxide, therefore, opens the channel directly without ATP depletion by activating SUR1. However, when cells are pretreated with glibenclamide, addition of NaN₃ does not cause blebbing, even after 30 minutes. Thus, activation of NC_(Ca-ATP) channel by ATP depletion or by the channel opener, diazoxide, can result in blebbing and swelling of NRAs, and that swelling can be prevented by blocking the channel with glibenclamide. ATP depletion by Na azide can result in necrotic cell death of NRAs. This finding accords with the data described herein that glibenclamide protects from the opening of the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel following ATP depletion, and that opening of this channel is responsible for cell blebbing.

[0133] The antagonist used in the methods of the present invention includes a compound that interferes with NC_(Ca-ATP) function. Typically, the effect of an antagonist is observed as a blocking of NC_(Ca-ATP) current in conditions under which the channel has been activated and current can be measured in the absence of the antagonist.

[0134] In addition to SUR1 specific sulfonylurea compounds, agents that block SUR1, also include compounds that are structurally unrelated to sulfonylureas. Such SUR1 blockers include a class of insulin secretagogues compounds that bind to the SUR, which were identified and developed for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. The benzamido derivatives: repaglinide, nateglinide, and meglitinide represent one such class of insulin secretagogues, that bind to the SUR. Nateglinide is an amino acid derivative. Also, imidazoline derivatives have been identified that interact with the sulfonylurea receptor (SUR) 1 subunit such as midaglizole (KAD-1229), LY397364 and LY389382.

[0135] In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, compounds that preferentially block SUR1, but not SUR2, are used in the method of the present invention. Such compounds include tolbutamide and gliclazide. The following compounds block both SUR1 and SUR2: glibenclamide, glimepiride, repaglinide, and meglitinide. In yet another embodiment of the method of the present invention, administration is combined with MgADP, which has been show to produce an apparent increase of sulfonylurea efficacy on channels containing SUR1, but not SUR2.

Example 14

[0136] To determine whether NC_(Ca-ATP) activation by ATP depletion initiates necrosis of reactive astrocytes that express this channel, studies are conducted to determine if glibenclamide is capable of protecting reactive astrocytes from cell death by inhibiting NC_(Ca-ATP) channel activity via its action on SUR1. Two types of cell death, apoptosis and necrosis, are assessed following ATP depletion.

[0137] Thus, activation of NC_(Ca-ATP) channel is responsible for necrotic death of NRAs following ATP depletion, and that glibenclamide can prevent this form of cell death.

[0138] In this Example, the preparation of freshly isolated NRAs was further purified by removal of RBCs, as described herein to provide a cell population having <1% RBCs. Over 95% of cells had resting potentials near E_(K), suggesting that the enzymatic dissociation method had not appreciably harmed the cells. Over 95% of cells are positive for the astrocyte marker, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) as determined by immunofluorescence. When examined by phase microscopy, the NRAs are of various sizes, ranging from 11-45 μms in diameter, some of which are phase bright and others are phase dark. A subgroup of phase bright cells had multiple short but distinct cell processes that are shorter than the cell soma. In this Example, only larger (≈30 μm diameter), phase bright cells with short processes (<1 cell length) are studied. This population of NRAs reliably express the NC_(Ca-ATP) channels.

[0139] Experiments are conducted at room temperature (22-25° C.) within 24 hr of cell isolation. An aliquot of cells is placed on a chamber slide (LAB-TEK, Naperville, Ill.) filled with extracellular bath solution containing (mM): NaCl 130, KCl 10, CaCl₂ 1, MgCl₂ 1, HEPES 32.5, glucose 12.5, pH 7.4. After viable cells adhered to the surface, any residual debris not previously removed by centrifugation is washed away by flushing with excess solution. Cells are subjected to ATP depletion by 1 mM Na azide to activate (open) the NC_(Ca-ATP) channels, and then incubated with glibenclamide (1 μM).

[0140] Thereafter, the cells are examined by propidium iodide (PI) staining for evidence of cellular membrane permeabilization, an indication of early oncotic or necrotic cell death. See, Barros et al., 2001. The cells are also examined by fluorescein-tagged annexin V binding for evidence of externalization of the phosphoaminolipid phosphotidylserine from the inner face of the plasma membrane to the outer surface, an early indication of apoptosis. See, Clodi et al., 2000; Rucker-Martin et al., 1999. Staining procedure are conducting according to manufacture directions (Vybrant Apoptosis Assay Kit 2, Molecular Probes). Slides are mounted using ProLong antifade mounting medium (Molecular Probes). Signals are visualized using a Nikon Diaphot epifluorescent microscope (Leitz Wetzlar). Images are captured and stored using a SenSys digital camera (Roper Scientific Inc.) and IPLab software (version 3.0; Scanalytics Inc.). Annexin V-positive cells or PI-positive cells are counted in 20 individual fields using a 20× objective lens. Mean values of positive cells in 20 fields for various treatment groups are compared using ANOVA Pairwise multiple comparisons, with p<0.05 being considered as indicating a significant difference.

[0141] The fluorescence microscopy photos shown in FIG. 15A show that under baseline (control) conditions, both annexin V-positive and PI-positive cells (photos a and d, respectively) are rare in the cell isolates. After a 10-min incubation with Na azide (1 mM), the number of PI-positive cells increased substantially (p<0.05) (FIG. 15A at photo b and FIG. 15B). This indicates that ATP depletion triggers necrotic death in these cells. By contrast, Na azide treatment caused the number of annexin V-positive cells to increase slightly; the increase not being statically significant (p>0.05) (FIG. 15A at photo e and FIG. 15C). This indicates that apoptotic death was not a major endpoint of ATP depletion in these cells.

[0142] Pretreatment of cells with glibenclamide (1 μM) at the time of administration of Na azide dramatically decreased the number of PI-positive cells (p<0.05; FIG. 15A at photo c and FIG. 15B), indicating significant protection from necrotic death following ATP depletion. The number of NRAs undergoing apoptotic death also decreased with glibenclamide, as indicated by annexin V labeling (FIG. 15A at photo f and FIG. 15C), but values for this group were not significantly different.

[0143] This data indicate that the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel is involved in the mechanism of the necrotic cell death of reactive astrocytes. This Example shows that necrotic, rather than apoptotic, cell death is the principal endpoint of ATP depletion in these cells. Therefore, ATP depletion by Na azide initiates cell death by removal of the ATP block of the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel, thus initiating oncotic cell swelling. Involvement of this channel in oncotic cell swelling is confirmed by showing that necrotic death can also be induced by diazoxide, the channel opener that activates the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel in these cells, and could be blocked by glybenclamide, which prevents opening of the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel. The involvement of the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel in cell death of reactive astrocytes provides a mechanism and target of death in these cells, as well as the importance of blocking the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel to prevent the death of reactive astrocytes, which occurs in traumatic brain injury.

Example 15

[0144] In Vitro Assays for Determining a Test Compound Ability to Provide Dose-Dependent Blockage of the NC_(Ca-ATP) Channel

[0145] NC_(Ca-ATP) channels blocking compounds can be identified by a method in which the direct inhibitory effect of the test compound on NC_(Ca-ATP) channels is determined. Inside-out patches are used to show the inhibitory effect of the compound. To ensure that no K+ channel, particularly K_(ATP) is contributing to patch current, Cs+ is used as the charge carrier. Compounds that profoundly diminish channel activity, and the activity is shown to be due to a 35 pS cation channel, such a compound is identified as a compound that blocks the NC_(Ca-ATP) channels and is capable of inhibiting neuronal cell swelling and brain swelling. Varying concentrations of the compound are used to determine whether the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel is blocked by the compound in a dose-dependent manner. The concentration at which half maximum inhibition (EC₅₀) is observed and the concentration at which channel activity is completely lost are determined. The sensitivity of the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel of the present invention to blocking in NRAs with the test compound can be compared. This in vitro assay for determining the concentration of the test compound which achieves a half-maximal inhibition of channel activity may be used to formulate dose in animal models to achieve a circulating plasma concentration range.

Example 16

[0146] In Vivo Assays for Determining Dose-Dependent Blockage of the NCCa-ATP Channel

[0147] The concentration of the test compound which achieves a half-maximal inhibition of channel activity is used to formulate dose in animal models to achieve a circulating plasma concentration range. The dose of test compound that achieves a circulating plasma concentration range calculated by methods known in the art is administered to an animal having brain injury or cerebral ischemia. To determine whether the test compound prevents, inhibits or diminishes brain swelling, the epidural pressure and/or intracranial pressure of the animal is measured, such as by using a microballoon, to quantitatively monitor brain swelling. Also, the swelling can be monitored by magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. Three different studies start administration prior to, at the time of, or after the brain injury. A compound that provided diminishes brain swelling, as compared to controls, is identified as a compound capable of inhibiting neuronal cell swelling and brain swelling. Varying concentrations of the compound are used to determine whether the compound delivers efficacy in a dose-dependent manner. The dose at which half maximum inhibition is observed and the concentration at which brain swelling is most quickly alleviated are determined. Formulations are produced comprising the optimal effective dose of the test compound for preventing, inhibiting, or diminishing brain swelling, along with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

[0148] Summary of NC_(Ca-ATP) Channel Characteristics

[0149] The characteristics of cells expressing and composition containing the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel of the present invention are summarized in Table 1. TABLE 1 Properties of cells and membrane compositions containing the NC_(Ca-ATP) Channel of the Present Invention Reactive Membrane Preparation Astrocytes derived from freshly isolat- ed native reactive astrocytes Monovalent cation Yes: Yes: permeable? Na+ Na+ Li+ Li+ Rb+ Rb+ Cs+ Cs+ (Na⁺≈K^(+≈Li+≈Rb+)) (Na⁺≈K^(+≈Li+≈Rb+)) Anion permeable? No No Divalent cation perme- No No able? Compounds blocking SUR1 antagonists SUR1 antagonists channel activity Channel opening Intracell. ATP Intracell. ATP depletion Requires: depletion Intracell. Mg²⁺ Intracell. Mg²⁺ Single Channel ˜35 pS ˜35 pS Conductance Activation <1.0 μM <1.0 μM [Ca²⁺] [ATP]₁ EC₅₀ (um) 0.79 μM 0.79 μM ADP No channel effect No channel effect AMP Pore radius 0.41 0.41 (nm)

[0150] Methods of the Present Invention

[0151] The present invention provides a previously unknown ion channel found in mammalian neural cells that plays a role in cell swelling. The present invention further provides a method of screening for antagonists to the channel and a new use for antagonists to the channel, including sulfonylurea compounds such as glibenclamide and tolbutamide, as a treatment for brain swelling in mammals.

[0152] Methods of the present invention for identifying compounds that interact with, (e.g., bind to, open, block) the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel and employ (i) cell based assays and/or (ii) non-cell based assay systems. Such compounds may act as antagonists or agonists of NC_(Ca-ATP) channel activity. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, antagonists that block and/or inhibit the permeability of the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel are utilized in methods for treating neural cell swelling and/or brain swelling.

[0153] The cell based assays use neural cells that express the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel, preferably a functional NC_(Ca-ATP) channel; the preferred cells are NRAs. The non-cell based assay systems include membrane preparations that express the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel, preferably a functional NC_(Ca-ATP) channel. Cell-based assays include, but are not limited to, compound binding assays, microscopic observation of cell status (normal, blebbing, swelling), and measuring channel currents both before and after exposure to compound. Compositions comprising membrane preparations expressing the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel may be used to identify compounds that interact with, bind to, block or open the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel or SUR1. The term “expressing the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel” or “expresses the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel” means having a functional NC_(Ca-ATP) channel. The term “functional NC_(Ca-ATP) channel” as used herein means an NC_(Ca-ATP) channel capable of being detected. One preferred method of detecting the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel is by determining, in vitro or in vivo, whether the channel is open, closed and/or blocked.

[0154] For example, in a typical experiment using a membrane preparation, NRAs that express the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel are used to produce the membrane preparation. Methods for producing membranes from whole cells and tissues are well known in the art. One such method produces purified cell membranes in the form of a purified microsomal fraction isolated from disrupted cells or a tissue sample by discontinuous sucrose gradient centrifugation. Also included are membranes comprised of cell-attached patches, inside-out patches, or outside-out patches. One example of a tissue sample expressing NC_(Ca-ATP) channels is brain tissue adjacent to brain injury.

[0155] The membranes preparations are used in a number of assays, including, but not limited to measuring channel currents, both before and after exposure to compound; and in vitro binding assays. The experimental conditions for such assays to determine and quantify the status of the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel are described throughout the instant specification, including binding assay conditions, bath compositions, pipette solutions, concentrations of ATP and Ca²⁺ required, membrane voltage, membrane potentials, compound quantity ranges, controls, etc.

[0156] Binding assays and competitive binding assays employ a labeled ligand or antagonist of the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel. In one such experiment, labeled Glibenclamide, such as FITC-conjugated glibenclamide or radioactively labeled glibenclamide is bound to the membranes and assayed for specific activity; specific binding is determined by comparison with binding assays performed in the presence of excess unlabelled antagonist.

[0157] In one method for identifying NC_(Ca-ATP) channel blockers, membranes are incubated with a labeled compound shown to block this channel, in either the presence or absence of test compound. Compounds that block the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel and compete with the labeled compound for binding to the membranes will have a reduced the signal, as compared to the vehicle control samples. In another aspect of the invention the screens may be designed to identify compounds that compete with the interaction between NC_(Ca-ATP) channel and a known (previously identified herein) NC_(Ca-ATP) channel antagonist or SUR1 antagonist, such as glibenclamide. In such screens, the known NC_(Ca-ATP) channel antagonist or SUR1 antagonist is labeled and the test compounds are then assayed for their ability to compete with or antagonize the binding of the labeled antagonist.

[0158] The assays described herein can be used to identify compounds that modulate or affect NC_(Ca-ATP) channel activity. For example, compounds that affect NC_(Ca-ATP) channel activity include but are not limited to compounds that bind to the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel or SUR1, inhibit binding of identified blockers or ligands (such as glibenclamide), and either open/activate the channel (agonists) or block/inhibit the channel (antagonists).

[0159] Assays described can also identify compounds that modulate neural cell swelling (e.g., compounds which affect other events involved in neural cell swelling that are activated by ligand binding to or blocking of the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel).

[0160] Compounds Screened in Accordance with the Invention

[0161] The compounds for screening in accordance with the invention include, but are not limited to organic compounds, peptides, antibodies and fragments thereof, peptidomimetics, that bind to the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel and either open the channel (i.e., agonists) or block the channel (i.e., antagonists). For use in the treatment of neural cell swelling or brain swelling, compounds that block the channel are preferred. Agonists that open or maintain the channel in the open state include peptides, antibodies or fragments thereof, and other organic compounds that include the SUR1 subunit of the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel (or a portion thereof) and bind to and “neutralize” circulating ligand for SUR1.

[0162] With reference to screening of compounds that affect the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel, libraries of known compounds can be screened, including natural products or synthetic chemicals, and biologically active materials, including proteins, for compounds which are inhibitors or activators. Preferably, such a compound is an NC_(Ca-ATP) antagonist, which includes an NC_(Ca-ATP) channel inhibitor, an NC_(Ca-ATP) channel blocker, a SUR1 antagonist, SUR1 inhibitor, and/or a compound capable of reducing the magnitude of membrane current through the channel.

[0163] Compounds may include, but are not limited to, small organic or inorganic molecules, compounds available in compound libraries, peptides such as, for example, soluble peptides, including but not limited to members of random peptide libraries; (see, e.g., Lam, K. S. et al., 1991, Nature 354: 82-84; Houghten, R. et al., 1991, Nature 354: 84-86), and combinatorial chemistry-derived molecular library made of D- and/or L-configuration amino acids, phosphopeptides (including, but not limited to, members of random or partially degenerate, directed phosphopeptide libraries; see, e.g., Songyang, Z. et al., 1993, Cell 72: 767-778), antibodies (including, but not limited to, polyclonal, monoclonal, humanized, anti-idiotypic, chimeric or single chain antibodies, and FAb, F(ab′).sub.2 and FAb expression library fragments, and epitope-binding fragments thereof).

[0164] Other compounds which can be screened in accordance with the invention include but are not limited to small organic molecules that are able to cross the blood-brain barrier, gain entry into an appropriate neural cell and affect the expression of the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel gene or some other gene involved in the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel activity (e.g., by interacting with the regulatory region or transcription factors involved in gene expression); or such compounds that affect the activity of the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel or the activity of some other intracellular factor involved in the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel activity.

[0165] Computer modeling and searching technologies permit identification of compounds, or the improvement of already identified compounds, that can modulate NC_(Ca-ATP) channel activity or expression. Having identified such a compound or composition, the active sites or regions are identified. Such active sites might typically be ligand binding sites. The active site can be identified using methods known in the art including, for example, from study of complexes of the relevant compound or composition with other ligands, from the amino acid sequences of peptides, or from the nucleotide sequences of nucleic acids. Chemical or X-ray crystallographic methods can be used to study complexes of the relevant compound to find the active site. The three dimensional geometric structure of the active site is determined. This can be done by known methods, including X-ray crystallography, which can determine a complete molecular structure. On the other hand, solid or liquid phase NMR can be used to determine certain intra-molecular distances. Any other experimental method of structure determination can be used to obtain partial or complete geometric structures. The geometric structures may be measured with a complexed ligand, natural or artificial, which may increase the accuracy of the active site structure determined.

[0166] If an incomplete or insufficiently accurate structure is determined, the methods of computer based numerical modeling can be used to complete the structure or improve its accuracy. Any recognized modeling method may be used, including parameterized models specific to particular biopolymers such as proteins or nucleic acids, molecular dynamics models based on computing molecular motions, statistical mechanics models based on thermal ensembles, or combined models. For most types of models, standard molecular force fields, representing the forces between constituent atoms and groups, are necessary, and can be selected from force fields known in physical chemistry. The incomplete or less accurate experimental structures can serve as constraints on the complete and more accurate structures computed by these modeling methods.

[0167] Finally, having determined the structure of the active site, either experimentally, by modeling, or by a combination, candidate modulating compounds can be identified by searching databases containing compounds along with information on their molecular structure. Such a search seeks compounds having structures that match the determined active site structure and that interact with the groups defining the active site. Such a search can be manual, but is preferably computer assisted. These compounds found from this search are potential NC_(Ca-ATP) channel modulating, preferably blocking, compounds.

[0168] Alternatively, these methods can be used to identify improved modulating compounds from an already known modulating compound or ligand. The composition of the known compound can be modified and the structural effects of modification can be determined using the experimental and computer modeling methods described above applied to the new composition. The altered structure is then compared to the active site structure of the compound to determine if an improved fit or interaction results. In this manner systematic variations in composition, such as by varying side groups, can be quickly evaluated to obtain modified modulating compounds or ligands of improved specificity or activity.

[0169] Examples of molecular modeling systems are the CHARMm and QUANTA programs (Polygen Corporation, Waltham, Mass.). CHARMm performs the energy minimization and molecular dynamics functions. QUANTA performs the construction, graphic modeling and analysis of molecular structure. QUANTA allows interactive construction, modification, visualization, and analysis of the behavior of molecules with each other. A number of articles review computer modeling of drugs interactive with specific proteins, such as Rotivinen, et al.) 1988, Acta Pharmaceutical Fennica 97: 159-166); Ripka (1988 New Scientist 54-57); McKinaly and Rossmann (1989, Annu. Rev. Pharmacol. Toxicol. 29: 111-122); Perry and Davies, OSAR: Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationships in Drug Design pp. 189-193 Alan R. Liss, Inc. 1989; Lewis and Dean (1989, Proc. R. Soc. Lond. 236: 125-140 and 141-162); and, with respect to a model receptor for nucleic acid components, Askew, et al. (1989, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 111: 1082-1090). Other computer programs that screen and graphically depict chemicals are available from companies such as BioDesign, Inc. (Pasadena, Calif.), Allelix, Inc. (Mississauga, Ontario, Canada), and Hypercube, Inc. (Cambridge, Ontario). Although these are primarily designed for application to drugs specific to particular proteins, they can be adapted to design of drugs specific to regions of DNA or RNA, once that region is identified.

[0170] Compounds identified via assays such as those described herein may be useful, for example, in elaborating the biological function of the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel and for relief of brain swelling.

[0171] Assays for testing the efficacy of compounds identified in the cellular screen can be tested in animal model systems for brain swelling. Such animal models may be used as test substrates for the identification of drugs, pharmaceuticals, therapies and interventions which may be effective in treating brain swelling. For example, animal models of brain swelling, such as brain injury, may be exposed to a compound, suspected of exhibiting an ability to inhibit brain swelling, at a sufficient concentration and for a time sufficient to elicit such an inhibition of brain swelling in the exposed animals. The response of the animals to the exposure may be monitored using visual means (e.g., radiological, CAT, MRI), measurement of intracranial pressure, and/or the reversal of symptoms associated with brain swelling. With regard to intervention, any treatments which reverse any aspect of brain swelling-associated symptoms should be considered as candidates for brain swelling therapeutic intervention. Dosages of test agents may be determined by deriving dose-response curves, as discussed herein.

[0172] Accordingly, the present invention is useful in the treatment or alleviation of neural cell swelling and death and brain swelling, especially those brain insults related to traumatic brain injury, central or peripheral nervous system damage, cerebral ischemia, such as stroke, or complications involving and/or stemming from edema, injury, or trauma. Such damage or complications may be characterized by an apparent brain damage or aberration, the symptoms of which can be reduced by the methods of the present invention including the administration of an effective amount of the active compounds or substances described herein. According to a specific embodiment of the present invention the administration of effective amounts of the active compound can block the channel, which if remained open leads to neural cell swelling and cell death. A variety of antagonists to SUR1 are suitable for blocking the channel. Examples of suitable SUR1 antagonists include, but are not limited to glibenclamide, tolbutamide, repaglinide, nateglinide, meglitinide, midaglizole, LY397364, LY389382, gliclazide, glimepiride, MgADP, and combinations thereof. In a preferred embodiment of the invention the SUR1 antagonists is selected from the group consisting of glibenclamide and tolbutamide. Still other therapeutic “strategies” for preventing neural cell swelling and cell death can be adopted including, but not limited to methods that maintain the neural cell in a polarized state and methods that prevent strong depolarization.

Example 17

[0173] Additional Mechanisms for Maintaining NRAs in a Polarized State

[0174] When reactive astrocytes are strongly depolarized due to opening of the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel, they undergo blebbing and swelling and eventually sustain necrotic cell death. As stated above, when reactive astrocytes are strongly depolarized due to opening of a non-selective channel that is sensitive to Ca²⁺ and ATP (NC_(Ca-ATP) channel), they undergo blebbing and swelling and eventually sustain necrotic cell death. The death of these reactive astrocytes can be prevented if strong depolarization can be prevented, in other words, if the cells can be maintained in a polarized state.

[0175] One potential way of maintaining the NRAs in a polarized state is to open the Kir2.3 channel. NRAs are exposed to the Kir2.3 channel opener, Tenidap, to maintain Kir2.3 channels open. Native reactive astrocytes freshly harvested from adult rat brains after injury are exposed to Tenidap to evaluate the drug's ability to open the Kir2.3 channel in these cells. Preferably, type 1 reactive (R1) astrocytes are harvested and used in this assay. One of the subtypes of reactive astrocytes is the type R1 astrocyte. Type R1 astrocytes comprise the largest population of recoverable astrocytes at the site of brain injury. They are characteristically located in the region of tissue surrounding the injury site, many of which are found to have migrated into the injury site itself. See, Perillan, et al., 1999.

[0176] The reactive astrocytes that are part of the cellular response to TBI and stroke are comprised of at least two subtypes. One of the subtypes of reactive astrocytes is the type R1 astrocyte. Type R1 astrocytes comprise the largest population of recoverable astrocytes at the site of brain injury. They are characteristically located in the region of tissue surrounding the injury site, with many of these cells also being found to have migrated into the injury site itself. See, Perillan, et al. 1999.

[0177] Type R1 astrocytes are the predominant type of reactive astrocyte in the NRA preparations. Type R1 astrocytes express two critically important ion channels in their cell membrane: (a) the Kir2.3 channel, which is present in cultured as well as freshly isolated cells; and (b) the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel, which is present only in freshly isolated reactive astrocytes and lost shortly after culturing. The Kir2.3 is an inward rectifier channel that is critically important for maintaining the cell polarized to a normal resting potential near the potassium reversal potential (≈−75 mV). When this channel is inactivated or inhibited, the cell depolarizes to a potential near the chloride reversal potential (≈−25 mV). Characteristic features of he NC_(Ca-ATP) channel are: 1) it is a non-selective cation channels that allows passage of Na, K and other monovalent cations quite readily; 2) it is activated by an increase in intracellular calcium, and/or by a decrease in intracellular ATP; and 3) it is regulated by sulfonylurea receptor type 1 (SUR1). SUR1 had been considered to be associated exclusively with K_(ATP) channels, such as those found in pancreatic β cells.

[0178] Opening of the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel following ATP depletion, as with ischemia or hypoxia, causes depolarization of the cell due to influx of Na. This influx of Na increases the osmotic load within the cell, and as a result, H₂O enters the cell to equilibrate the osmotic load. The result is an excess of Na and H₂O intracellularly, a pathological response that produces cell blebbing and cell swelling and that is known as cytotoxic edema. Left unchecked, this pathological response eventually leads to cell death. As disclosed herein, this cell death is mostly necrotic cell death but to a lesser extent, apoptotic cell death as well.

[0179] A number of approaches may be used to ameliorate brain swelling due to cytotoxic edema. One currently used treatment for treating patients in relevant clinical situations is based on increasing extracellular osmolarity to reduce the driving force for influx of H₂O. This strategy also reduces blebbing in isolated cells.

[0180] A more specific strategy to reduce cytotoxic edema is inactivating or blocking the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel that is primarily responsible for the influx of Na that draws H₂O into the cell and that actually causes cytotoxic edema. One highly selective approach to inactivating this channel is to exploit the unique relationship between the channel and the controlling regulatory subunit, SUR1. A variety of drugs have been developed that interact with SUR1 in pancreatic β cells to block the K_(ATP) channel in those cells and thereby treat diabetes. Some of these drugs belong to the class of agents called sulfonylureas. As described herein, drugs that block the K_(ATP) channel, such as glybenclamide and tolbutamide, are highly effective at blocking the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel in type R1 astrocytes. Drugs capable NC_(Ca-ATP) channel blocking in NRAs (a) prevents cell blebbing in response to ATP depletion, (b) significantly reduces cell death following ATP depletion. Also, the use of glybenclamide to treat brain swelling in an animal suffering from stroke or brain injury is described herein.

[0181] Yet another strategy to oppose the effect of the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel and reduce cytotoxic edema would be to counteract depolarization of the cell that accompanies opening of the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel. One way to accomplish this is to enhance opening of the Kir2.3 channels that are also present in these cells. An anti-inflammatory compound, Tenidap, is an opener of Kir2.3 channels. See, Popp et al., 1992; Liu et al., 2002.

[0182] Tenidap is evaluated for its ability to reduce cell blebbing and swelling and necrotic cell death in response to ATP depletion in the isolated cells as well as in situ in injured rat brain. To assess whether Tenidap opens the Kir2.3 channels in type R1 astrocytes, using methods similar to those described herein for evaluating the status of the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel. Results from such experiments that show Tenidap to open Kir2.3 channels in type R1 astrocytes, and reduce cell blebbing and cell death in response to ATP depletion would indicate the usefulness of Tenidap in treating brain swelling and cytotoxic edema resulting from TBI or cerebral ischemia. The effective amount of Tenidap is that amount capable of reducing brain swelling or cerebral ischemia due to the drug's ability to inhibit neural cell swelling and necrotic cell death.

[0183] SUR1 blockers are likely to be the most specific, reliable provide the fewest untoward side effects. Further, a combination of treatments including use of osmotic diuretics, NCCa-ATP channel blockers such glybenclamide and Kir2.3 channel openers such as Tenidap may provide better efficacy in ameliorating cytotoxic edema and reducing morbidity and mortality in brain injury and stroke.

[0184] It is therefore another object of the present invention to provide a method for identifying compounds that inhibit neural cell swelling, comprising: (a) contacting a test compound with a composition comprising the Kir2.3 channel, and (b) determining whether the test compound opens the Kir2.3 channel, wherein a test compound that opens the Kir2.3 channel is identified as a compound for inhibiting neural cell swelling.

[0185] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a method for a method for identifying compounds that inhibit brain swelling, comprising: (a) contacting a test compound with a composition comprising the Kir2.3 channel, and (b) determining whether the test compound opens the Kir2.3 channel, wherein a test compound that opens the Kir2.3 channel is identified as a compound for inhibiting brain swelling.

[0186] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a method for a method for identifying compounds that inhibit neural cell swelling and/or brain swelling in an animal, comprising: (a) contacting a test compound with a composition comprising the Kir2.3 channel, and (b) determining whether the test compound opens the Kir2.3 channel, wherein a test compound that opens the Kir2.3 channel is identified as a compound for inhibiting neural cell swelling and/or brain swelling in an animal.

[0187] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a method for identifying compounds that prevent, inhibit and/or alleviate brain swelling in a subject, comprising: (a) contacting a test compound with a composition comprising the Kir2.3 channel, and determining whether the test compound opens the Kir2.3 channel, and (b) administering the test compound to a subject having a brain injury or cerebral ischemia, and determining whether the test compound prevents, inhibits and/or alleviates brain swelling in the subject, wherein test compounds that open the Kir2.3 channel are identified as compounds that inhibit brain swelling.

[0188] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a method for identifying compounds that inhibit neural cell swelling in an animal, comprising: (a) contacting a test compound with a composition comprising the Kir2.3 channel, and determining whether the test compound opens the Kir2.3 channel, and (b) administering the test compound to an animal having a brain injury or cerebral ischemia, and determining whether the test compound inhibits brain swelling of the treated animal, wherein test compounds that inhibit brain swelling are identified as compounds that inhibit neural cell swelling in an animal.

[0189] It is also an object of the present invention to provide a method of preventing neural cell swelling in the brain of a subject, said method comprising administering to the subject a formulation containing an effective amount of a compound that opens the Kir2.3 channel and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

[0190] It is a further objection of the present invention to provide a method of alleviating the negative effects of traumatic brain injury or cerebral ischemia stemming from neural cell swelling in a subject, comprising administering to the subject a formulation comprising an effective amount of a compound that opens the Kir2.3 channel and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. In the object of the present invention that provide methods assessing the effect of a compound on the Kir2.3 channel, a preferred compound is Tenidap. For example the formulation may provide a daily dose of Tenidap that is from about 10 mg/day to about 500 mg/day, or, when administered directly to the brain the daily dose of Tenidap is from about 500 mg/day to 1.5 gms/day or greater.

[0191] Pharmaceutical Formulations and Methods of Treating Neural Cell Swelling and Brain Swelling

[0192] Compositions of the Present Invention

[0193] The present invention also contemplates therapeutic methods employing compositions comprising the active substances disclosed herein. Preferably, these compositions include pharmaceutical compositions comprising a therapeutically effective amount of one or more of the active compounds or substances along with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

[0194] As used herein, the term “pharmaceutically acceptable” carrier means a non-toxic, inert solid, semi-solid liquid filler, diluent, encapsulating material, formulation auxiliary of any type, or simply a sterile aqueous medium, such as saline. Some examples of the materials that can serve as pharmaceutically acceptable carriers are sugars, such as lactose, glucose and sucrose, starches such as corn starch and potato starch, cellulose and its derivatives such as sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose and cellulose acetate; powdered tragacanth; malt, gelatin, talc; excipients such as cocoa butter and suppository waxes; oils such as peanut oil, cottonseed oil, safflower oil, sesame oil, olive oil, corn oil and soybean oil; glycols, such as propylene glycol, polyols such as glycerin, sorbitol, mannitol and polyethylene glycol; esters such as ethyl oleate and ethyl laurate, agar; buffering agents such as magnesium hydroxide and aluminum hydroxide; alginic acid; pyrogen-free water; isotonic saline, Ringer's solution; ethyl alcohol and phosphate buffer solutions, as well as other non-toxic compatible substances used in pharmaceutical formulations.

[0195] Wetting agents, emulsifiers and lubricants such as sodium lauryl sulfate and magnesium stearate, as well as coloring agents, releasing agents, coating agents, sweetening, flavoring and perfuming agents, preservatives and antioxidants can also be present in the composition, according to the judgment of the formulator. Examples of pharmaceutically acceptable antioxidants include, but are not limited to, water soluble antioxidants such as ascorbic acid, cysteine hydrochloride, sodium bisulfite, sodium metabisulfite, sodium sulfite, and the like; oil soluble antioxidants, such as ascorbyl palmitate, butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), lecithin, propyl gallate, aloha-tocopherol and the like; and the metal chelating agents such as citric acid, ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA), sorbitol, tartaric acid, phosphoric acid and the like.

[0196] Dose Determinations

[0197] By a “therapeutically effective amount” or simply “effective amount” of an active compound, such as glibenclamide or tolbutamide, is meant a sufficient amount of the compound to treat or alleviate the brain swelling at a reasonable benefit/risk ratio applicable to any medical treatment. It will be understood, however, that the total daily usage of the active compounds and compositions of the present invention will be decided by the attending physician within the scope of sound medical judgment. The specific therapeutically effective dose level for any particular patient will depend upon a variety of factors including the disorder being treated and the severity of the brain injury or ischemia; activity of the specific compound employed; the specific composition employed; the age, body weight, general health, sex and diet of the patient; the time of administration, route of administration, and rate of excretion of the specific compound employed; the duration of the treatment; drugs used in combination or coinciding with the specific compound employed; and like factors well known in the medical arts.

[0198] Toxicity and therapeutic efficacy of such compounds can be determined by standard pharmaceutical procedures in cell assays or experimental animals, e.g., for determining the LD50 (the dose lethal to 50% of the population) and the ED50 (the dose therapeutically effective in 50% of the population). The dose ratio between toxic and therapeutic effects is the therapeutic index and it can be expressed as the ratio LD50/ED50. Compounds which exhibit large therapeutic indices are preferred. While compounds that exhibit toxic side effects may be used, care should be taken to design a delivery system that targets such compounds to the site of affected tissue in order to minimize potential damage to uninfected cells and, thereby, reduce side effects.

[0199] The data obtained from the cell culture assays and animal studies can be used in formulating a range of dosage for use in humans. The dosage of such compounds lies preferably within a range of circulating concentrations that include the ED50 with little or no toxicity. The dosage may vary within this range depending upon the dosage form employed and the route of administration utilized. For any compound used in the method of the invention, the therapeutically effective dose can be estimated initially from cell based assays. A dose may be formulated in animal models to achieve a circulating plasma concentration range that includes the IC50 (i.e., the concentration of the test compound which achieves a half-maximal inhibition of symptoms) as determined in cell culture. Such information can be used to more accurately determine useful doses in humans. Levels in plasma may be measured, for example, by high performance liquid chromatography.

[0200] The total daily dose of the active compounds of the present invention administered to a subject in single or in divided doses can be in amounts, for example, from 0.01 to 25 mg/kg body weight or more usually from 0.1 to 15 mg/kg body weight. Single dose compositions may contain such amounts or submultiples thereof to make up the daily dose. In general, treatment regimens according to the present invention comprise administration to a human or other mammal in need of such treatment from about 1 mg to about 1000 mg of the active substance(s) of this invention per day in multiple doses or in a single dose of from 1 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg, 100 mg, 500 mg or 1000 mg.

[0201] In certain situations, it may be important to maintain a fairly high dose of the active agent in the blood stream of the patient, particularly early in the treatment. Such a fairly high dose may include a dose that is several times greater than its use in other indications. For example, the typical anti-diabetic dose of oral or IV glibenclamide is about 2.5 mg/kg to about 15 mg/kg per day; the typical anti-diabetic dose of oral or IV tolbutamide is about to 0.5 gm/kg to about 2.0 gm/kg per day; the typical anti-diabetic dose for oral gliclazide is about 30 mg/kg to about 120 mg/kg per day; however, much larger doses may be required to block neural cell swelling and brain swelling.

[0202] For example, in one embodiment of the present invention directed to a method of preventing neural cell swelling in the brain of a subject by administering to the subject a formulation containing an effective amount of a compound that blocks the NCCa-ATP channel and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier; such formulations may contain from about 0.1 to about 100 grams of tolbutamide or from about 0.5 to about 150 milligrams of glibenclamide. In another embodiment of the present invention directed to a method of alleviating the negative effects of traumatic brain injury or cerebral ischemia stemming from neural cell swelling in a subject by administering to the subject a formulation containing an effective amount of a compound that blocks the NCCa-ATP channel and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

[0203] In situations of traumatic brain injury or cerebral ischemia (such as stroke), or cerebral hypoxia, it may be important to maintain a fairly high dose of the active agent to ensure delivery to the brain of the patient, particularly early in the treatment. Hence, at least initially, it may be important to keep the dose relatively high and/or at a substantially constant level for a given period of time, preferably, at least about six or more hours, more preferably, at least about twelve or more hours and, most preferably, at least about twenty-four or more hours. In situations of traumatic brain injury or cerebral ischemia (such as stroke), it may be important to maintain a fairly high dose of the active agent to ensure delivery to the brain of the patient, particularly early in the treatment. When the method of the present invention is employed to treat conditions involving bleeding in the brain, such as traumatic brain injury or cerebral ischemia (such as stroke), delivery via the vascular system is available and the compound is not necessarily required to readily cross the blood-brain barrier.

[0204] Formulations and Administration

[0205] The compounds of the present invention may be administered alone or in combination or in concurrent therapy with other agents which affect the central or peripheral nervous system, particularly selected areas of the brain.

[0206] Liquid dosage forms for oral administration may include pharmaceutically acceptable emulsions, microemulsions, solutions, suspensions, syrups and elixirs containing inert diluents commonly used in the art, such as water, isotonic solutions, or saline. Such compositions may also comprise adjuvants, such as wetting agents; emulsifying and suspending agents; sweetening, flavoring and perfuming agents.

[0207] Injectable preparations, for example, sterile injectable aqueous or oleaginous suspensions may be formulated according to the known art using suitable dispersing or wetting agents and suspending agents. The sterile injectable preparation may also be a sterile injectable solution, suspension or emulsion in a nontoxic parenterally acceptable diluent or solvent, for example, as a solution in 1,3-butanediol. Among the acceptable vehicles and solvents that may be employed are water, Ringer's solution, U.S.P. and isotonic sodium chloride solution. In addition, sterile, fixed oils are conventionally employed as a solvent or suspending medium. For this purpose any bland fixed oil can be employed including synthetic mono- or diglycerides. In addition, fatty acids such as oleic acid are used in the preparation of injectables.

[0208] The injectable formulation can be sterilized, for example, by filtration through a bacteria-retaining filter, or by incorporating sterilizing agents in the form of sterile solid compositions, which can be dissolved or dispersed in sterile water or other sterile injectable medium just prior to use.

[0209] In order to prolong the effect of a drug, it is often desirable to slow the absorption of a drug from subcutaneous or intramuscular injection. The most common way to accomplish this is to inject a suspension of crystalline or amorphous material with poor water solubility. The rate of absorption of the drug becomes dependent on the rate of dissolution of the drug, which is, in turn, dependent on the physical state of the drug, for example, the crystal size and the crystalline form. Another approach to delaying absorption of a drug is to administer the drug as a solution or suspension in oil. Injectable depot forms can also be made by forming microcapsule matrices of drugs and biodegradable polymers, such as polylactide-polyglycoside. Depending on the ratio of drug to polymer and the composition of the polymer, the rate of drug release can be controlled. Examples of other biodegradable polymers include polyorthoesters and polyanhydrides. The depot injectables can also be made by entrapping the drug in liposomes or microemulsions, which are compatible with body tissues.

[0210] Suppositories for rectal administration of the drug can be prepared by mixing the drug with a suitable non-irritating excipient, such as cocoa butter and polyethylene glycol which are solid at ordinary temperature but liquid at the rectal temperature and will, therefore, melt in the rectum and release the drug.

[0211] Solid dosage forms for oral administration may include capsules, tablets, pills, powders, gelcaps and granules. In such solid dosage forms the active compound may be admixed with at least one inert diluent such as sucrose, lactose or starch. Such dosage forms may also comprise, as is normal practice, additional substances other than inert diluents, e.g., tableting lubricants and other tableting aids such as magnesium stearate and microcrystalline cellulose. In the case of capsules, tablets and pills, the dosage forms may also comprise buffering agents. Tablets and pills can additionally be prepared with enteric coatings and other release-controlling coatings.

[0212] Solid compositions of a similar type may also be employed as fillers in soft and hard-filled gelatin capsules using such excipients as lactose or milk sugar as well as high molecular weight polyethylene glycols and the like.

[0213] The active compounds can also be in micro-encapsulated form with one or more excipients as noted above. The solid dosage forms of tablets, capsules, pills, and granules can be prepared with coatings and shells such as enteric coatings and other coatings well known in the pharmaceutical formulating art. They may optionally contain opacifying agents and can also be of a composition that they release the active ingredient(s) only, or preferably, in a certain part of the intestinal tract, optionally in a delayed manner. Examples of embedding compositions which can be used include polymeric substances and waxes.

[0214] Dosage forms for topical or transdermal administration of a compound of this invention further include ointments, pastes, creams, lotions, gels, powders, solutions, sprays, inhalants or patches. Transdermal patches have the added advantage of providing controlled delivery of active compound to the body. Such dosage forms can be made by dissolving or dispersing the compound in the proper medium. Absorption enhancers can also be used to increase the flux of the compound across the skin. The rate can be controlled by either providing a rate controlling membrane or by dispersing the compound in a polymer matrix or gel. The ointments, pastes, creams and gels may contain, in addition to an active compound of this invention, excipients such as animal and vegetable fats, oils, waxes, paraffins, starch, tragacanth, cellulose derivatives, polyethylene glycols, silicones, bentonites, silicic acid, talc and zinc oxide, or mixtures thereof.

[0215] The method of the present invention employs the compounds identified herein for both in vitro and in vivo applications. For in vivo applications, the invention compounds can be incorporated into a pharmaceutically acceptable formulation for administration. Those of skill in the art can readily determine suitable dosage levels when the invention compounds are so used.

[0216] As employed herein, the phrase “suitable dosage levels” refers to levels of compound sufficient to provide circulating concentrations high enough to effectively block the NCCa-ATP channel and prevent or reduce neural cell swelling in vivo.

[0217] In accordance with a particular embodiment of the present invention, compositions comprising at least one SUR1 antagonist compound (as described above), and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier are contemplated.

[0218] Exemplary pharmaceutically acceptable carriers include carriers suitable for oral, intravenous, subcutaneous, intramuscular, intracutaneous, and the like administration. Administration in the form of creams, lotions, tablets, dispersible powders, granules, syrups, elixirs, sterile aqueous or non-aqueous solutions, suspensions or emulsions, and the like, is contemplated.

[0219] For the preparation of oral liquids, suitable carriers include emulsions, solutions, suspensions, syrups, and the like, optionally containing additives such as wetting agents, emulsifying and suspending agents, sweetening, flavoring and perfuming agents, and the like.

[0220] For the preparation of fluids for parenteral administration, suitable carriers include sterile aqueous or non-aqueous solutions, suspensions, or emulsions. Examples of non-aqueous solvents or vehicles are propylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, vegetable oils, such as olive oil and corn oil, gelatin, and injectable organic esters such as ethyl oleate. Such dosage forms may also contain adjuvants such as preserving, wetting, emulsifying, and dispersing agents. They may be sterilized, for example, by filtration through a bacteria-retaining filter, by incorporating sterilizing agents into the compositions, by irradiating the compositions, or by heating the compositions. They can also be manufactured in the form of sterile water, or some other sterile injectable medium immediately before use. The active compound is admixed under sterile conditions with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and any needed preservatives or buffers as may be required.

[0221] The foregoing disclosure of the preferred embodiments of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Many variations and modifications of the embodiments described herein will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art in light of the above disclosure. The scope of the invention is to be defined only by the claims appended hereto, and by their equivalents.

[0222] Further, in describing representative embodiments of the present invention, the specification may have presented the method and/or process of the present invention as a particular sequence of steps. However, to the extent that the method or process does not rely on the particular order of steps set forth herein, the method or process should not be limited to the particular sequence of steps described. As one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate, other sequences of steps may be possible. Therefore, the particular order of the steps set forth in the specification should not be construed as limitations on the claims. In addition, the claims directed to the method and/or process of the present invention should not be limited to the performance of their steps in the order written, and one skilled in the art can readily appreciate that the sequences may be varied and still remain within the spirit and scope of the present invention. Further, in describing representative embodiments of the present invention, the specification may have presented the method and/or process of the present invention as a particular sequence of steps. However, to the extent that the method or process does not rely on the particular order of steps set forth herein, the method or process should not be limited to the particular sequence of steps described. As one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate, other sequences of steps may be possible. Therefore, the particular order of the steps set forth in the specification should not be construed as limitations on the claims. In addition, the claims directed to the method and/or process of the present invention should not be limited to the performance of their steps in the order written, and one skilled in the art can readily appreciate that the sequences may be varied and still remain within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

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What is claimed is:
 1. A composition comprising a membrane preparation expressing the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel.
 2. The composition of claim 1, wherein said membrane preparation is derived from neural cells.
 3. The composition of claim 1, wherein said membrane preparation is derived from isolated native reactive astrocytes (NRAs).
 4. The composition of claim 1, wherein said channel is blocked by antagonists of the type 1 sulfonylurea receptor and opened by SUR1 activators.
 5. The composition of claim 3, wherein said astrocytes are freshly isolated native reactive astrocytes.
 6. The composition of claim 1, wherein said channel has the following characteristics: (a) it is a 35 pS type channel; (b) it is stimulated by cytoplasmic Ca²⁺ in the concentration range from about 10⁻⁸ to about 10⁻⁵ M; (c) it opens when cytoplasmic ATP is less than about 0.8 uM; and (d) it is permeable to the monovalent cations K⁺, Cs⁺, Li⁺ and Na⁺.
 7. A method of screening for antagonists of the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel, comprising: (a) contacting a test compound with a composition comprising the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel; and (b) identifying test compounds that inhibit an activity of said channel by measuring said activity in the presence and absence of said test compound, wherein a test compound that inhibits said activity is identified as an antagonist of the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel.
 8. The method of claim 7, wherein said composition comprises a preparation of neural cells expressing the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel.
 9. The method of claim 7, wherein said composition comprises a membrane preparation expressing the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel.
 10. The method of claim 7, wherein said membrane preparation is derived from isolated native reactive astrocytes (NRAs).
 11. The method of claim 7, wherein said antagonist of the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel is selected from the group consisting of: (a) an NC_(Ca-ATP) channel inhibitor, an NC_(Ca-ATP) channel blocker, a SUR1 antagonist, SUR1 inhibitor, and/or a compound capable of reducing the magnitude of membrane current through the channel.
 12. A method for identifying compounds that inhibit neural cell swelling, comprising: (a) contacting a test compound with a composition comprising the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel, and (b) determining whether the test compound blocks the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel, wherein a test compound that blocks the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel is identified as a compound for inhibiting neural cell swelling.
 13. A method for identifying compounds that inhibit brain swelling, comprising: (a) contacting a test compound with a composition comprising the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel, and (b) determining whether the test compound blocks the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel, wherein a test compound that blocks the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel is identified as a compound for inhibiting brain swelling.
 14. A method for identifying compounds that inhibit brain swelling, comprising: (a) contacting a test compound with a composition comprising the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel, and (b) determining whether the test compound inhibits neural cell swelling, wherein a test compound that inhibits neural cell swelling is identified as a compound for inhibiting brain swelling.
 15. A method for identifying compounds that inhibit neural cell swelling in an animal, comprising: (a) contacting a test compound with a composition comprising the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel and determining whether the test compound blocks the channel, and (b) administering the test compound to an animal having a brain injury or cerebral ischemia, and determining whether the test compound inhibits brain swelling of the treated animal, wherein test compounds that inhibit brain swelling are identified as compounds that inhibit neural cell swelling in an animal.
 16. A method for identifying compounds that inhibit brain swelling, comprising: (a) contacting a test compound with a composition comprising the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel, and determining whether the test compound blocks the channel, and (b) administering the test compound to an animal having a brain injury or cerebral ischemia, and determining whether the test compound inhibits brain swelling of the treated animal, wherein test compounds that block the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel are identified as compounds that inhibit brain swelling.
 17. The method according to any one of claims 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16, wherein said composition comprises a preparation of neural cells expressing the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel.
 18. The method according to any one of claims 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16, wherein said composition comprises a membrane preparation expressing the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel.
 19. The method according to any one of claims 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16, wherein said composition comprises a membrane preparation expressing the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel and further wherein said membrane preparation is derived from isolated native reactive astrocytes (NRAs).
 20. The method according to any one of claims 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16, wherein said compound is an antagonist of a type 1 sulfonylurea receptor.
 21. The method according to any one of claims 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16, wherein said compound is an antagonist of a type 1 sulfonylurea receptor, and further wherein said antagonist is a sulfonylurea compound.
 22. The method according to any one of claims 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16, wherein said determining step is selected from the group consisting of: (a) measuring channel currents; (b) measuring membrane potential; (c) detecting expression of annexin V; (d) detecting expression of propidium iodide; (e) in vitro binding assays; (f) identifying appearance of cell blebbing and/or cell swelling; and (g) combinations thereof.
 23. The method according to any one of claims 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16, wherein said composition comprises a preparation of neural cells expressing the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel, and further wherein said cell is a native reactive astrocyte.
 24. A method of preventing neural cell swelling in the brain of a subject, said method comprising administering to the subject a formulation containing an effective amount of a compound that blocks the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
 25. A method of alleviating the negative effects of traumatic brain injury or cerebral ischemia stemming from neural cell swelling in a subject, comprising administering to the subject a formulation comprising an effective amount of a compound that blocks the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
 26. The method according to any one of claims 24 and 25, wherein said administration is delivery into the brain.
 27. The method according to any one of claims 24 and 25, wherein said compound is an antagonist of a type 1 sulfonylurea receptor.
 28. The method according to any one of claims 24 and 25, wherein said compound is an antagonist of a type 1 sulfonylurea receptor, and further wherein said antagonist is a sulfonylurea compound.
 29. The method according to any one of claims 24 and 25, wherein said compound is an antagonist of a type 1 sulfonylurea receptor, and further wherein said antagonist is selected from the group consisting of glibenclamide and tolbutamide.
 30. The method according to any one of claims 24 and 25, wherein said compound is an antagonist of a type 1 sulfonylurea receptor, and further wherein said antagonist is selected from the group consisting of repaglinide, nateglinide, meglitinide, midaglizole, LY397364, LY389382, gliclazide, glimepiride, MgADP, and combinations thereof.
 31. The method according to any one of claims 24 and 25, wherein said pharmaceutically acceptable carrier renders said formulation suitable for administration, said administration selected from the group consisting of: intravenous, subcutaneous, intramuscular, intracutaneous, intragastric and oral administration.
 32. A formulation for preventing or inhibiting neural cell swelling in the brain of a subject, wherein said formulation comprises a compound that blocks the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, wherein the quantity of said compound is at least 10 times greater than the quantity of said compound in formulations for treating diabetes.
 33. A method for identifying compounds that inhibit neural cell swelling, comprising: (a) contacting a test compound with a composition comprising the Kir2.3 channel, and (b) determining whether the test compound opens the Kir2.3 channel, wherein a test compound that opens the Kir2.3 channel is identified as a compound for inhibiting neural cell swelling.
 34. A method for identifying compounds that inhibit brain swelling, comprising: (a) contacting a test compound with a composition comprising the Kir2.3 channel, and (b) determining whether the test compound opens the Kir2.3 channel, wherein a test compound that opens the Kir2.3 channel is identified as a compound for inhibiting brain swelling.
 35. A method for identifying compounds that inhibit neural cell swelling and/or brain swelling in an animal, comprising: (a) contacting a test compound with a composition comprising the Kir2.3 channel, and (b) determining whether the test compound opens the Kir2.3 channel, wherein a test compound that opens the Kir2.3 channel is identified as a compound for inhibiting neural cell swelling and/or brain swelling in an animal.
 36. A method for identifying compounds that prevent, inhibit and/or alleviate brain swelling in a subject, comprising: (a) contacting a test compound with a composition comprising the Kir2.3 channel, and determining whether the test compound opens the Kir2.3 channel, and (b) administering the test compound to a subject having a brain injury or cerebral ischemia, and determining whether the test compound prevents, inhibits and/or alleviates brain swelling in the subject, wherein test compounds that open the Kir2.3 channel are identified as compounds that inhibit brain swelling.
 37. A method for identifying compounds that inhibit neural cell swelling in an animal, comprising: (a) contacting a test compound with a composition comprising the Kir2.3 channel, and determining whether the test compound opens the Kir2.3 channel, and (b) administering the test compound to an animal having a brain injury or cerebral ischemia, and determining whether the test compound inhibits brain swelling of the treated animal, wherein test compounds that inhibit brain swelling are identified as compounds that inhibit neural cell swelling in an animal.
 38. A method of preventing neural cell swelling in the brain of a subject, said method comprising administering to the subject a formulation containing an effective amount of a compound that opens the Kir2.3 channel and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
 39. A method of alleviating the negative effects of traumatic brain injury or cerebral ischemia stemming from neural cell swelling in a subject, comprising administering to the subject a formulation comprising an effective amount of a compound that opens the Kir2.3 channel and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
 40. The method according to any one of claims 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38 and 39, wherein said compound is Tenidap.
 41. The method according to any one of claims 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38 and 39, wherein said determining step is selected from the group consisting of: (a) measuring channel currents; (b) measuring membrane potential; (c) detecting expression of annexin V; (d) detecting expression of propidium iodide; (e) in vitro binding assays; (f) identifying appearance of cell blebbing and/or cell swelling; and (g) combinations thereof.
 42. A composition comprising freshly isolated native reactive astrocytes, wherein said astrocytes express the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel.
 43. The composition of claim 42, wherein at least about 80% to about 100% of said astrocytes express the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel. 